Schulman & Romeu ‘Strike’ it Big with Bowling League

Bowling originated in ancient civilizations. The modern form of bowling dates back to the late 19th century and is particularly popular in North America and Europe.

Now tying Atlanta Jews to bowling means interactivity, with friendly competition and, of course, food. Alex Schulman, head of Atlanta’s Jewish Bowling League, has been “king pin” for the last nine years. He stated “I’ve been bowling with the league for 12 years with the last nine years as president. What I’ve been able to find out is that the league started in 1956. A great friend of mine, Joe Bernstein, got me involved. He’s since moved away to Detroit, but we still call on a weekly basis and exchange bowling stories.”

Meryl Romeu represented the U.S. in bowling in the World Maccabi Games in Israel.

Growing up in New Orleans, Schulman never bowled on a consistent basis. Now he oversees the league of 30 every Sunday night at Bowlero Norcross for around three hours where social networking and potluck food is shared.

Get The AJT Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

The fall schedule is 13 weeks running from September through end of December; then the winter schedule picks up from January through May. Schulman, who works Northside Hospital as a data analyst, states that the group members’ ages range from mid-20’s to late 60’s.

With a personal best score of 182, Schulman said, “Bowling is an activity that anyone can enjoy, and it’s a fantastic way to have fun with friends and family.”

His best bowling tips are: get a good coach; get your own shoes; practice, practice, practice.

When asked if bowling, like golf, is both a mental and physical game, he replied, “It’s more a knowledge-based game, understanding how the oiling of the lanes will affect how your ball travels down the lane, regardless of how strong you are. It’s knowing that you need to do the same thing, the same way, every single time to hopefully get the same results. And, like every other sports game, dealing with the pressure. It’s a combination of the two to be successful.”

Accomplished bowler and league member since 2021, Meryl Romeu met her husband while bowling and attending the University of Miami. She described why she likes the league, “I get the pure social experience I need at this stage. The people are the best. I live about 20 minutes away from Bowlero.”

Heather Rosenheck walks away after a successful roll.

By this league’s standards, Romeu is a very competitive and an accomplished bowler and has represented the U.S. as a bowler in the World Maccabi Games in Israel three times. Locally, she now ranks in the top 30 to 40 percentiles. She’s been bowling since the age of 12, where her father taught the whole family the game.

She stated, “I don’t bowl as competitively as I used to, but I currently average about 185 and my highest game is 288.”

To keep her game in its “primo” stage, she watches the pros to absorb more and to pick up tips. Her husband coaches her, and she tries to deal with physical issues as they happen. “There’s always something new to learn.”

In terms of Jewish bowling, Romeu said, “I know firsthand that the Jewish bowling community is a small one; and I’m so happy to have so many Jewish friends to bowl with. The Maccabi bowlers from around the world are like a big family. And I like that aspect of it”.

Alex Schulman has served as bowling league president for nine years.

Romeu prefers co-ed leagues and tournaments to “women only,” but says that “men can be thought of as more high scoring” than the gals.

Romeu has always maintained her own equipment, balls, shoes, and accessories. She was born in New York and grew up in the suburbs of Montreal. She moved to Florida for graduate school, and then Atlanta for work.

She concluded, “I started bowling as a kid, and never stopped!”

Bowling is known to sharpen focus and concentration as players must calculate angles. Many traditional bowling alleys also include entertainment options like arcades, laser tag, and sports bars. The city of Atlanta is home to some boutique bowling experiences like the Painted Pin and the Painted Duck for duck pin bowling with craft cocktails and gourmet food. And there’s always bumper bowling for beginners.

To join the Jewish Bowling League, email Alexfromuno@gmail.com.