By Tim Kelly
Former Eagles long-snapper Jon Dorenbos came to Margate and brought with him a little magic.
He also brought words of motivation, humor and a whole lot of truth. As usual, the audience, still celebrating the Birds’ first-ever Super Bowl championship, ate it up.
Dorenbos does a one-man show that connects with audiences young and old, which previously this summer wowed two sold-out crowds in Ocean City.
Thursday night it was Margate’s turn, as Dorenbos was the featured performance of the Fourth Annual Jackie and Hank Herskowitz Sports Night event at the Milton and Betty Katz Jewish Community Center on Jerome Ave.
Before the show started the Chairman of the Sports Night event, Jeff Herskowitz, said “We’re honored to have this talented former Eagle as our guest speaker, especially during this magical time in Philadelphia (sports) history. Jon has a remarkable life story. We’re looking forward to hearing how he used magic to help overcome a childhood tragedy.”
Then the show was opened by Christian Crosby, who is best known as being the in-arena host for the Philadelphia 76ers. He spent the last decade working for the team in progressive roles that taught him many lessons. He shared stories and his philosophy on how to “Live Life Nice”. His banter did a great job of getting the crowd into the spirit of the evening.
Christian Crosby brought his passion and brand for nice living to the all ages crowd. (www.livelifenice.com)
Then, the JCC supporters in attendance were treated to a more intimate and ad-libbed performance in which Jon seemed to be holding court in a 250-seat living room.
Dorenbos, who also earned national fame as one of the top three finishers in the hit reality show America’s Got Talent, spoke of overcoming adversity, taking every day as a new opportunity, and having the courage to succeed.
He acknowledged the darkest time of his life, when at the age of 12 his father gunned down his mother and was convicted of second-degree murder. Jon went into a foster home and was finally adopted by his aunt and uncle after a lengthy legal battle. But he used his passion for performing card tricks and illusions as a tool against negative and ugly thoughts. “You have to push that stuff aside,” and pursue positive goals, Dorenbos stressed.
Jon Dorenbos has a unique method of choosing participants from the audience.
He played in the NFL for 14 years, including 11 with the Eagles before retiring in 2017. Although he was not on the Super Bowl winning squad, the Eagles awarded Dorenbos a Super Bowl championship ring in recognition of his service to the team and being an ambassador of the sport.
“South Jersey is part of ‘Eagles World’ and it’s a very friendly audience,” Dorenbos said. “I have the opportunity to tell stories that the people like to hear.”
Dorenbos proved that he is truly an amazing magician and engaged his audience. Like many expert illusionists, he brought audience members to the stage to assist him in with the various tricks. Unlike others he proved the randomness of his selection by tossing a huge beach ball into the crowd, which was then batted around. When he stopped the music, the last person touching it was chosen.
Jon Dorenbos repairs a torn-up playing in front of the crowd while being projected on the big screens.
At one point during the shown, the camera crew had some technical difficulty with a camera that was needed for some card tricks. The ex-Eagle walked from the stage area to the back of the room and placed a small table right in front of audience members near another camera. Without missing a beat, he performed the card tricks while his crew to got the tight camera angles that he wanted while he did some slight of hand. It was evident that the audience enjoyed his up close interactive style.
Jon Dorenbos entertained the audience up-close with the card trick / story of “Sam the Bellhop”.
Each year the Sports Night event honors the lives and charitable spirit of the late Jackie and Hank Herskowitz of Margate and carries on their philanthropic legacy. It drew approximately 250 people and raised almost $100,000 to be used for JCC childrens’ scholarships, according to the Katz JCC Chief Executive Officer Jack Fox.
“Jackie and Hank were remarkable people who gave from the heart and taught others how to give. We’re honored their children are continuing their legacy,” Fox said.
Jon Dorenbos received an enthusiastic standing ovation at the conclusion of his show.
At the end of the performance, Jeff Herskowitz thanked the major sponsors, Capital Investments, Kingsway Realty Company, Surety Charitable Foundation, the Philadelphia 76ers, Fox Rothschild LLP, Wells Fargo, The Private Bank, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Legacy Assets, and Kramer Beverage. “We thank them from the bottom of our hearts, on behalf of Renee, Amy, Lisa Spector, Jeffrey, Mellissa, Alexa, Jake and Justin Herskowitz, David and Allison Blitzer,” Jeff said.
Jeffrey Herskowitz presented Jon Dorenbos with the Broken Glass Award.
As Committee Chair, Jeff recognized its members: Todd Checkoff, Don Chierici, Stephen Esposito, David Goldberg, Amy Herskowitz, Melissa Herskowitz, Renee Herskowitz, Helene Hardes, Don Kelly, Todd Kendall, Marc Neuman, Larry Schreiber, and Lisa Spector.
Also, the committee’s Board members: Cindy Baen, Elliot Beinfest, Steven Brog, Arthur Brown, Susan Cohen, Katie DeSalle, Marvin Greenberg, Jerry Grossman, Helene Hordes, Sheryl Kessler, Michael Loewenstern, Rosalie Lopez, Marc Neumann, Louis Niedelman, Bruce Peskoe, Marla Rosenthol, Eric Share, Lisa Share, Moshe Shinar, Alan Staller, Laurie Staller, Leigh Turner, Frederic B. Weinstein and Samantha Wolf.
Jeff Herskowitz did not need to make any refunds on his pre-event guarantee that everyone in attendance would be “motivated and walk away with a smile on their face.”
Instead he has the happy problem next year to try to follow a most memorable evening of entertainment and inspiration.
Jeff Herskowitz publicly thanked Katz JCC staffers (from left) John Rios, Genia Bitner, Melissa Vola and Jack Fox for making his Jackie and Hank Herskowitz Sports Night possible.
Jon Dorenbos received an Eagles Super Bowl Champions ring and was kind enough to show it to some fans after the show.
Jeffrey Herskowitz and Jon Dorenbos pose with the Broken Glass Award, after the event.
