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MACCABI USA MISSION TO CUBAEUROPEAN MACCABI GAMES

MACCABI MATCH

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

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Andrea Murez From the Maccabiah to the 2016 Olympics Andrea ‘Andi’ Murez began swimming competitively in Santa Monica, California and now is on her way to the 2016 Summer Olympics as a member of the Israeli National Team! Andi, along with her brother Zachary, attended a beach lifeguard camp as children. After camp ended, their father wanted them to become better swimmers and so they joined the local club, Team Santa Monica. Once Andi started swimming competitively she never stopped. She swam for Venice High School in Southern California and won eight City Section championships and set four city records. Andi was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame as the Female Jewish High School Athlete of the Year. After completing her senior year in high school, Andi represented Team USA at the 2009 World Maccabiah Games in Israel. She was joined there by her brother Zachary, himself a competitive swimmer

for Yale University at the time and an alumnus of the 2003 Pan American Maccabi USA Swim Team.

“We have a lot of family history in swimming. My grandfather swam for Hakoah in Vienna in the 1930’s and my dad swam competitively in high school,” Andi said. She had an amazing competitive experience at the 2009 Maccabiah, winning five

gold and four silver medals and breaking four Maccabiah Games records in the 50m Freestyle (26:44), 100m Freestyle (0:56.44), 200m Freestyle (2:03.45) and the 200m Individual Medley (2:20.74). After the Maccabiah Games, Andi headed to Stanford University where she had a successful college career.

The international competition wasn’t the only highlight of Andi’s Maccabiah experience. In 2009 she had the opportunity to participate in the ISRAEL CONNECT program, where she visited the cultural and historic sites of Israel and participated in the B’nai Mitzvah program and cultural identity seminars. Besides having the opportunity to share this experience with her brother, she made many friends, both with her teammates and competitors from around the world. Andi’s parents and grandfather, Joe Murez, came to Israel to cheer her and Zachary on as they competed. “My grandfather had a great influence on our involvement in swimming and especially in the Maccabiah Games,” Andi reflected, “so it was gratifying to have him in the stands and for me to be able to give him my gold medal after one of my races.” She then qualified for the USA Team competing at the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel, which she attended immediately following her participation in the World

T H E O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R O F M A C C A B I U S A VOLUME 13 | NUMBER 2 | FALL 2015

“My grandfather had a great influence on our involvement in swimming and especially in the Maccabiah Games.”

2 | sportscene | Fall 2015

If you were not with us in Berlin, Germany at the European Maccabi Games, you missed an historical event that was special on so many counts: You missed the marked dichotomy between this vibrant, modern city that is a magnet for young artists and performers with a vast urban landscape of magnificent modern buildings, a city pulsating with a sense of constant renewal and flourishing economy—and its ever-present evil recent history. You missed the camaraderie of fellow Maccabi athletes who, upon meeting other Maccabi Jews from across Europe, felt the instant bond across cultural divides and simply hugged.

The significance of this Jewish event was felt in every minute of seeing our youth move about—or enter a sports arena—with a show of strength and pride. It was felt in every minute of just sitting at one of the thousands of outdoor cafés that had once been banned to Jews. It was a sense of freedom contrasting the hundreds of decrees issued against Jews (even forbidding Jewish veterinarians from treating Aryan dogs!). For the historical opening ceremony, as the president of Maccabi USA, I was invited to sit in the stands with Maccabi movement officials. But how could I have passed on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to express what has been in my heart for most of my life? I chose to march with Team USA—a solidarity team to support our fellow European counterparts—into the stadium, on the grounds of the 1936 Olympic Park adjacent to the Stadium where Hitler had objected to the participation of Jews. Waving to the thousands of welcoming people and government officials of Berlin in the stands, one thought ran through my mind: “Adolph, you s.o.b, we are here—while you and your kind rot in your graves.” (My actual expletives cannot be printed here.) The simultaneous conflicting feelings of exultation and anger stayed with me the entire evening, yet were tipped into buoyancy by the knowledge that we were accomplishing our retribution. Just registering the smiling faces of the over two hundred members of the USA delegation marching behind me lifted my spirits. The event—starting with the lavish opening ceremony—was also a very important event for the German government. The President of Germany, the Mayor of Berlin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, all expressed their collective shame over the behavior of their ancestors and acknowledged the importance of our being there. And I could not avoid feeling pride for our making it all happen through the concept of sports. It is through sports that we have brought a few hundred athletes, their families and supporters to Germany to show our vigor and vitality. That is what Maccabi—the movement, the ideology and the events—are all about. We accomplish through sports what no Jewish endeavor can: We physically place our USA Jewish youth with thousands of other Jews from all corners of the globe, giving them a perspective of the Diaspora, of the depth of Jewish identity, and of the unity of the Jewish people across centuries of persecution and strife. It is this very reason that motivates me and makes me proud of my association with Maccabi for thirty years. I cannot close without expressing my tremendous appreciation for our management team that has made it all possible: Tonja Magerman, the USA General Chairperson of these Games, Dan Kurtz Team Manager, and our hardworking and driven staff in Philadelphia led by our Executive Director Jed Margolis. I must also assure you the next program, in December, 2015 for our Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile will also be a fabulous event, full of ruach and camaraderie. GO TEAM USA.

Ron Carner, President Maccabi USA

University Games in Kazan, Russia. At the 2013 Maccabiah Games, Andi had another outstanding competitive experience, winning seven medals – five gold and two silver – and was presented with the Most Outstanding Athlete Award for women. “In 2009 I loved travelling around Israel beforehand and seeing many amazing sites. In 2013 I wasn’t able to join the Team for the ISRAEL CONNECT program because of the timing of the World University Games,” Andi said. “But I really enjoyed competing in the Games. I was able to meet and talk to a number of Israelis about swimming for Israel. This had a big impact on my decision to make Aliyah. I don’t think I would have considered moving to Israel seriously if I hadn’t had the opportunity to visit Israel, compete here and meet wonderful Jewish athletes from around the world.” Andi describes competition for any team an amazing experience, particularly when the competition becomes bigger than oneself. Competing for the USA at the Maccabiah Games was important for her because she was able to represent her country, but it was more about athletes from around the world coming together to compete as Jews. It was an amazing experience that she will never forget. When Andi competed for Stanford University, competing was about continuing a legacy of excellence in swimming for the school and competing with the other girls on the team. After four years at Stanford, she really learned what it means to be part of a team. Of course, being part of any national team is an honor and a huge deal. Andi qualified for the 2016 Olympics by breaking the Israeli record for the 50m freestyle with a time of 25.12 seconds. “I am so lucky to be able to be a part of the Israeli National Team,” Andi said. “I can’t wait to compete in upcoming events and to wear the Israeli flag on my cap.”Andi continues to stay involved with Maccabi USA and feels what we do is important because it supports Jewish athletes and provides amazing opportunities like competing in the Maccabiah Games. Next summer, the entire Maccabi USA family will have their eyes glued to the swimming competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics and will be cheering her on.

Andrea Murez(continued from front page)PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Fall 2015 | sportscene | 3

Maccabi USA recognized 15 Legends of the Maccabiah from around the world, all with ties to Southern Florida at a festive brunch on March 15 in Boca Raton, Florida. Honorees are selected for their contributions to the Maccabi Movement, through sports, volunteerism and support. The Legends included two past Maccabi World Union Presidents – Guiora Esrubilsky (z”l) and Ronald Bakalarz, Tennis Phenom Angela Buxton, Golf Professional Bruce Fleisher and Basketball Superstars – Lester Fein (z”l), Donna Orender and Daniel Schayes; along with Alan Appelbaum – Golf, Barry Gurland – Leadership, David Kantor – Basketball, Milt Kantor (z”l) – Leadership, Harvey Leff – Leadership, Russell Stoch – Squash, and David Weissman – Softball. Maccabi USA presented the Maccabi Spirit award to Roy Salomon – Past President, Maccabi Canada. The Maccabi Spirit Award is presented to an individual whose time and dedication to the Maccabi Movement – kids, sports and Israel – is unsurpassed. This is only the second time that the Maccabi Spirit Award has been presented; the previous recipient was Peter Pollat of San Francisco at the inaugural Legends of the Maccabiah event in 2011. Over 350 guests gathered to see our Legends of the Maccabiah honored at the brunch where we were able to raise over $250,000. These funds will be used to support the programs and projects supported by Maccabi USA which includes gifts to Maccabi World Union and the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled.

L E G E N D S O F T H E M A C C A B I A H 2 0 1 5

Come support TEAM USA at the Pan American Maccabi Games this December! We will be returning to Santiago, Chile, for this spectacular event, and we would love for you to join us to cheer on the home team while experiencing the warmth and graciousness of the Chilean Jewish Community. The Maccabi USA Supporters Program will provide you with the easiest and most convenient way to experience the Games and Santiago! Along with our partners at Gil Travel, we have designed an exciting combination of sports, culture and sightseeing. Participation in our program will allow you to focus on enjoying the competition, culture and city of Santiago as we have taken care of the transportation, hotels and touring. All you need to do is register, pack and bring your passport – we take care of the rest!

13th Pan American Maccabi Games December 28, 2015 – January 4, 2016 | Santiago, Chile

Visit our website to view the itinerary for the trip by scanning the QR code to the right. If you need more information about the program, contact Sara Feinstein at Maccabi USA – 267.627.5654 or call Gil Travel at 215.568.6655 and ask for Caitlin Shmidheiser (ext. 366) or Samantha Sultzer (ext. 380).

Maccabi USA gratefully acknowledges the generosity

of its sponsors:

Kerry and Alan Appelbaum

Stephanie Fein

Leslie and David Kantor

PLATINUM SPONSORS:

GOLD SPONSORS: Minna and Ronald BakalarzTania and Edward Bakalarz

Steven Bakalarz (z”l) and the Bakalarz Family

Monica and Barry Gurland

Melaine Liss and Michael Spivak

SILVER SPONSORS: Cecile Fein

Harvey Leff

Annette and Bernard Mayer

AM Skier Insurance

Taylor Hogge and Bob Spivak

Larry, Laura & Gary and Michelle & Steve Leff

Sandra and Marvin Rubin

BRONZE SPONSORS:

TABLE SPONSORS: Sarah and Robert Cohen

Daszkal Bolton LLP

Claudio Dombey

BH Asset Management, LLC

Linda and Russell Stoch

The Susson Family

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The Legends of the Maccabiah of Florida was held in Boca Raton, FL on March 15. Please see page 3 for details.

The 20th Annual Palm Beach Golf Tournament was played at the

Falls Country Club in sunny Lake Worth, FL, on March 16. The Tournament was chaired by Lou Shook. A special thank you to Steering Committee members Alan Appelbaum,

Daniel Frankel, Gary Freedson, Larry Leff, Marty Riger and Bob Spivak. Next year’s event will again take place at the Falls Country Club on March 14.

The Maccabi World Union Congress took place in Israel from May 29 - June 2, 2015. Nearly a dozen Maccabi USA members attended, including Greg Bomzer, Jeff Bukantz, Ron Carner, Barry Gurland, Tonja Magerman, Jed & Beth Margolis, Jeff Schulman, Jordan Weinstein & Toni Wortman. Yogev Matok, Steve Graber, David Braha, Dalia Cohen, Jeremy & Jena Pashak and Garrett & Kara Weber- Gale attended as part of Maccabi Young Leadership’s (MYL) Annual Seminar, only the second time MYL was involved at the Maccabi World Union Congress.

The Annual Maccabi USA Chicago Golf Tournament was held at North Shore Country Club in Glenview, IL, on June 1. Co-Chairs Fred Cohen and Mark Fishman helped attract a large field of over 85 golfers, with the help of Steering Committee members Arnie Fielkow, Harry Fishman, Jess Forrest, William Furie, Terry Markus, Howard Polk, Jeff “Tuba” Rubin, Ron Saslow, Adam Schecter, Bob Spivak and Adam Winick. The weather was great and the camaraderie even better. A special thank you to Jennifer Zacarias for all of her hard work in organizing this event.

The 2015 Annual Philadelphia Golf Tournament took place at the Riverton Country Club in Cinnaminson, NJ, on June 8. Rain threatened to cut short the tournament for the third year in a row, but the skies cleared and we were treated to a fantastic day of golf. A special thank you to Tournament Co-Chairs Bob Spivak and Marc Zumoff and Steering Committee members Bruce Apple, Louis Barson, Mark Edfort, K.C. Isdaner, David Lorry, Bruce Marks, Jon Miller, Mel Miller, Ross Miller, Mark Rabinowitz and Michael Spivak. Next year’s event will take place on June 6 in Cherry Hill, NJ.

The Put Your Best Shoes Forward with Stuart Weitzman Event, in conjunction with WebThriftStore, took place in New York, NY, on June 15, 2015. Guests brought lightly-worn designer shoes, handbags, clothing and accessories to stock the Maccabi USA WebThriftStore and to help raise money for the projects and programs of Maccabi USA. Stuart Weitzman, of Stuart Weitzman Shoes, auctioned off the opportunity to custom design a pair of shoes with him in his studio. This event is being followed up with “Our Goal is Your Gold” jewelry drive campaign.

The 13th European Maccabi Games were held in Berlin, Germany, July 27- August 5. Please see pages (6-7) for details.

upcoming events

recent events

October 18, 2015 11th Annual Westchester Brunch & Bridge/

Canasta/Mah Jongg Event Rye Brook, NY

October 19, 2015 San Francisco Golf and Bridge

Tournaments Daly City, CA

November 14-15, 2015 Maccabi USA Conference Weekend

Atlantic City, NJ Maccabi Young Leadership

National Conference Atlantic City, NJ

December 28, 2015 – January 4, 2016 Pan American Maccabi Games

Santiago, Chile

March 14, 2016 21st Annual Palm Beach Golf Tournament

Lake Worth, FL

April 20, 2016 Maccabi USA Honors Ron Carner

New York, NY

May 19-May 24, 2016 Maccabi World Union Plenum

Israel

June 6, 2016 Philadelphia/New Jersey Golf Tournament

Cherry Hill, NJ

2016 JCC Maccabi Games Columbus, OH | July 24-July 29 St. Louis, MO | July 31-August 5

Stamford, CT | August 7-August 12

Get connected, stay engaged...

Fall 2015 | sportscene | 5

One of the many wonderful surprises during our trip to Israel for the World Maccabiah Games in 2013 was the participation of the Cuban Men’s Fast-Pitch Softball team. One day, I was chatting with my teammate, Mike Goldman, while we were watching the Cuban team play Mexico at our venue in Ma’or (which means illumination) and we marveled about this Cuban squad, how they got to Israel and who they were. We fantasized about visiting Cuba someday and connecting with this team both on and off the ball field. During the tournament I spoke briefly with Alex Eskenazi, the team captain and fine young player. We vowed to keep in touch. Upon our return from Israel we connected with Jed Margolis at the Maccabi USA office to figure out a way we could bring a group to Cuba to reconnect with our Cuban Fast-Pitch Softball friends and bring much-needed sporting equipment and other supplies to the Jewish community in the capital city of Havana. A year-and-a-half later, and a boatload of logistics, a group of 14 USA Men’s Fast-Pitch Softball players, their families and spouses, and Jed Margolis and his wife Beth, boarded a chartered plane from Miami for Havana in March. It was a mind-blowing adventure that surpassed our wildest dreams. We visited the Beth Shalom Synagogue – known as the Patronato – in the heart of Havana, where we shared stories, attended a Shabbat service performed by teenage boys and girls and partook of their

famous Saturday night chicken dinner. We visited the old Jewish cemetery on the outskirts of town and attended a baseball game during which the local Industriales team – the New York Yankees of Cuba – lost a critical game and incurred the wrath of their rabid fans. We set out to help the local Jewish community while reconnecting with our Cuban Mishpacha and we were able to do that with the supplies and sporting equipment we brought. As we walked the streets of a once-great and still-fascinating city, we pondered what will become of Cuba and its 1,500 or so Jewish citizens now that relations with the U.S. are on the mend. We all want to return.

Maccabi USA Mission To CubaBy Paul Rubin

I have had the opportunity to participate in different Maccabi USA events as a parent of an athlete, coach, and sports chair, but my recent role as the General Chairman for the 2015 European Maccabi Games USA Organizing Committee was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had to date with Maccabi USA. The opportunity to help develop the program of how our delegation would experience Berlin upon arrival took a lot of work, but having witnessed the impact of the Team’s experience has just been incredible. Our journey began with a moving Yizkor service at Platform 17, the location where most Jews from Germany were sent to the concentration camps, where we remembered the Olympians killed in the Holocaust as well as the 11 Israelis murdered at the 1972 Munich Olympics. It was a solemn and moving event. We had the opportunity to tour Jewish Berlin and some of its iconic, cultural sites, compete on high-performance courts and fields, but the best part of the European Maccabi Games were the friendships that we all made amongst our teammates, competitors and supporters. Our athletes performed with skill and good sportsmanship. We took home many medals, but that is not what everyone was talking about or experiencing. The opportunity to compete as proud Jewish athletes in Germany as part of the largest gathering of Jews in that country since the Holocaust made a huge impact on everyone there. Despite the atrocities our ancestors suffered, we were able to stand tall and march proudly into the Opening Ceremony proclaiming, “We are still here!”

I would like to thank all of the volunteers, coaches, managers, medical staff, and the staff at Maccabi USA who all put in countless hours to make this such an incredible, indelible experience. It was my pleasure getting to know as many athletes and supporters as I was able to and hope to have the opportunity to see you all again on another Maccabi USA project.

Tonja Magerman, General Chair 2015 European Maccabi Games USA Organizing Committee

European Maccabi Games

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“My experience at the European Maccabi Games was the best cultural, learning and athletic experience that I have ever had, I

made memories and relationships that I hope and believe I will have for the rest of my life.”

— ROBBIE FEINBERG, OPEN MEN’S BASKETBALL

“Being able to play the sport that I love while being surrounded by Jews from all over the world is an extraordinary experience. I could not have felt more proud to have earned a gold medal in Berlin, Germany on behalf of my team, my country, and my grandparents who were Holocaust survivors.”

—CATIE CHASE, OPEN WOMEN’S SOCCER

“This is definitely a life-changing experience, and I really appreciated the opportunity to meet and compete with athletes all over the world that happened to be Jewish.”

— ELIANA GOTTDENKER, JUNIORS GIRLS’ SWIMMING

“Coming in and seeing all the people cheering for USA at the Opening Ceremony and also meeting everyone in our delegation were my most memorable experiences.”

— CATHERINE PERLMUTTER, OPEN WOMEN’S FIELD HOCKEY

“Attending the Games with my family, making new friends on the team and facing competitors from around the world all while in the great city of Berlin was an experience of a lifetime.”

— ONDREA SCHICIANO, MASTERS TENNIS

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2015 EUROPEAN MACCABI GAMES

“What started as an intriguing invitation resulted in an experience of a lifetime for my daughter and me. We learned of, and were inspired by, the traditions of the Maccabi Games and felt privileged to be accepted into its extended family. We realized that history should be put in its proper place as we were awed by the beauty of Berlin and its gracious welcome. And, most importantly, I was able to honor my father in a place, and in a way, that was simply unimaginable. We cannot thank those in the Maccabi organization and the Berlin government enough for giving us such precious gifts.”

— NANCY GLICKMAN, DAUGHTER OF MARTY GLICKMAN

“The European Maccabi Games are on the top of my list of all Maccabi experiences that I’ve done. More than the sports, the cultural aspect of helping to bring full circle what happened in Germany by making the German and European Jewish community feel good about their future and our part in it was phenomenal. You can’t put a value on that; it was an uplifting and amazing experience.”

- BRUCE APPLE, MASTERS GOLF

“For me, the European Maccabi Games was a surreal experience in which Jews from all backgrounds and nationalities unified through intense competition; but at the end of the day, sports came second to being Jewish.”

— JOSH HAKIMIAN, YOUTH MEN’S SOCCER

“When I think of my experience in Berlin I definitely think about all my great teammates and coaches that supported me during the Games. It was great to compete with such fantastic people around me.”

— ALAN SHEKHTMAN, OPEN MEN’S BADMINTON

“I vividly remember walking into the hotel and listening in awe to chants in more languages than I could imagine. I never knew “Happy Birthday” could be said in so many different languages! While the competition was great, the camaraderie among the different countries, because of our passion for sports and religion, is something I will always remember.”

— KATIE RESNICK, OPEN EQUESTRIAN-DRESSAGE

Fall 2015 | sportscene | 7

LESLIE AND JORDAN SCHLACHTER Leslie (Carlson) and Jordan Schlachter knew they were destined to spend their lives together after their first meeting on a bus as they returned from practice the night before the Opening Ceremony at the 12th Pan American Maccabi Games in Santiago, Chile in

2003. Jordan sat behind Leslie, who turned around and just started talking with him. The conversation lasted beyond the bus ride to the hotel and well into the evening. Jordan walked Leslie to her room that night and they shared a hug. For Jordan it was love at first sight and Leslie told her roommate that she had just met her husband.

Both Leslie and Jordan had competed for Maccabi USA in previous Games. Leslie competed at the 2001 Maccabiah as a member of the Open Women’s Basketball team and then stayed on in Israel to play professionally for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Jordan first competed for the USA as a member of the Open Men’s Basketball team at the 1991 Pan Am Maccabi Games in Montevideo, Uruguay, and then began his Masters Basketball career at the 2003 Pan Am Maccabi Games in Santiago, Chile where they met on that fateful evening.

Leslie had been given the honor of being named Flag Bearer for Team USA, which meant she had to stand apart from her teammates in order to march in the procession with the other countries during the Opening Ceremony. Jordan walked over to where she was standing and never left her side the entire evening. Two days later, on a bus ride to a game, Jordan told her, “I am going to marry you one day,” to which Leslie replied, “Yes, you will.”

Leslie and Jordan were married two years later, on June 19, 2005 in Portland, CT. They had both qualified for the USA Team to compete at the 2005 Maccabiah Games in Israel later that summer, Jordan for the Masters Men’s and Leslie for the Open Women’s Basketball

Teams. Leslie’s team won a gold medal and Jordan’s team a silver medal, but the highlight of their trip was a second wedding ceremony. Leslie held an Israeli passport so they were able to get legally married in Israel by the Team Rabbi surrounded by their teammates, Maccabi USA Leadership, and Jordan’s dad who joined them on the trip.

Maccabi USA has made a tremendous impact on both their lives beyond meeting each other and beginning their lives together. Leslie attributes her involvement with the 2001 Open Women’s Basketball team as the catalyst that provided her the opportunity to live a personal dream, playing professional basketball in Israel. They have built strong, lasting relationships with their teammates and Maccabi USA Leadership. They continue to support and visit Israel and grow their love for the country and Maccabi USA.

Leslie works as the Medical Director of the Mount Sinai Hospital Men’s Health Program and Jordan is the Chief Marketing Officer for the National Basketball Players Association, both in New York. They reside in Manhattan with their children Devin and Eliza, and their Goldendoodle, Bruno.

SARAH AND MAX LEVINEWho was smitten first? That is the question that might not be answered, because according to Sarah (Susson), it was she, and according to Max, it was he. What we do know is that they met at JFK Airport, Terminal 4, while standing in line as they were about to depart for Israel in July of 2009 for the 18th World Maccabiah Games.

According to Sarah, she saw Max standing in line and slipped in behind him so she would have the opportunity to talk with him. They struck up a conversation and she was immediately struck by that ‘something special’ about him. According to Max, they were standing in line waiting to go through security and he spotted Sarah wearing cut-off shorts, high white socks, a blue jacket, sunglasses, an oversized backpack and fanny pack, and he was immediately smitten. What they both agree on is that that fateful meeting was the beginning of what is now their future.

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MACCABI MATCH!Part of our Mission at Maccabi USA is to build Jewish Continuity, and we can think of no greater way to do this than when our athletes meet their life partners while participating in an international Maccabi or Maccabiah Games. As part of our series, MACCABI MATCH, we introduce you to couples who first met during Maccabiah and Pan American Maccabi Games.

Shalom, We just returned from a most incredible experience at the European Maccabi Games in Berlin. These were Games of “Thrills and Chills.” Since we were in the shadow of the 1936 Olympics, we had many exciting sports performances, yet what stood out most was the impact of being in Germany at this important time given the growing anti-Semitism in Europe. We began with a moving memorial service on Tisha B’Av when we lovingly remembered Olympians killed in the Holocaust, the 11 Israeli Olympians murdered in Munich, and Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller, whose stories served as an inspiration to our Team. At the Opening Ceremony, held in an amphitheater built for the ‘36 Olympics, the descendants of Marty and Sam lit the torch - sending chills up and down our spines. Then, over 2,300 participants shared in a Guinness Book record-breaking Kiddush at Shabbat. This spoke to the strength and vitality of the Jewish People in a profound way. I realize that none of this could be possible without our wonderful volunteers, led by our Games’ Chair Tonja Magerman, our dedicated staff and the many athletes, coaches, management and medical staff, security team, parents and our supporters who joined us. We are also blessed to have many who have helped us to get to this point. Whether it was by dedicating time, energy or financial support, they too are vital to our strength as an Organization. We continue to receive support through grants, donations, bequests, and sponsorships for which we are very grateful. Our endowment continues to grow and is now in the area of $10 million. Recently we reached the halfway mark of our efforts to fund the Maccabi Cuba Team going to Santiago for the Games in Chile in December. Our “Light It Forward” campaign continues to grow as we are determined to ensure that no qualified athlete is turned away from the life-changing experience of the Maccabiah in 2017. And that includes not only American Team members but also those in distressed countries around the world. Thank you to all involved in Berlin, thank you to all our volunteers and staff who are crucial to our success, and thank you to those who support our efforts through their financial commitment to the important work that we do. L’shana Tova

JED MARGOLIS, Executive Director

Sarah was competing as a member of the Open Volleyball team and Max as a member of the Rugby team. During the ISRAEL CONNECT program, both their teams used the same facility for practice in the morning and shared a bus while touring. This provided them the opportunity to get to know each other prior to the competition, and they attended each other’s tournaments during the Games.

Although they had become good friends, Sarah lived on the West Coast and Max on the East Coast so they stayed in touch as pen pals for about 18 months. Sarah came to visit a teammate in NYC in late 2010 and had the chance to rendezvous with Max, and then a few weeks later she came out for

work and saw him again, then she visited some cousins in Maine over the winter holidays and they met for a third time. Eventually Max got the hint and flew out to the West Coast to visit Sarah after the New Year. Thus began the bi-coastal courtship - and the rest, as they say, is history.

Sarah and Max got engaged in 2014 and were married in Southern California on May 30 of this year. However, meeting and falling in love with each other was not the only significant event that came from participating in the Maccabiah Games. For Max, his experiences with Maccabi USA were arguably the seminal event of his adult life. He met his wife, visited Israel with his family, became a Bar Mitzvah at Hebrew University (in 2009), played rugby on an international stage and developed lifelong friendships. He has a stronger appreciation for his Jewish heritage and a strong connection to the State of Israel.

For Sarah, her experiences with Maccabi USA have deepened her connection to her Jewish heritage and culture and increased her appreciation for Israel, and just as importantly, they have allowed her to develop lifelong friendships with other Jewish athletes from around the world. Most importantly for Sarah was the opportunity to experience the Games with her family. Meeting her husband and having her family with her has made all of Sarah’s Maccabi USA experiences incredibly special.

“Walking hand in hand into the Opening Ceremony with Sarah in 2013, one day after winning the gold medal in Rugby 7s and four years after having met Sarah was an incredible moment,” Max recalled. “We were able to find Sarah’s parents, my parents and sister in the crowd, and we were able to share that moment with those we are closest with, half a world away from where we lived.”

Sarah and Max continue to stay involved with Maccabi USA as members of its Board of Directors. They reside in San Francisco where Sarah is an Associate Manager with a nonprofit, Room to Read, and Max is a Strategy Consultant.

EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

FALL2015

UPDATE

Fall 2015 | sportscene | 9

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newsDAVID ABIDOR – 2013 Maccabiah – joined professional soccer team Dalkurd FF of the 3rd Tier of Swedish Soccer.

MICHAEL AUFRICHTIG – 1997 Maccabiah –

won the 2015 NCAA Fencing Championship as the head coach of Columbia University.

LESLIE BERGER – 2005, 2009 Maccabiah; 2006 Australia – married Darrin Young on June 20, in Kansas City, Missouri, at a ceremony attended by six of her MUSA teammates, including LISA FISCHMAN, JENNIFER FLEISCHER, LINDSAY KRASNA, SHAINA POLLACK, HANNAH WOLFE SCHMIDT and EMILY FELDMAN.

RONNI BERNSTEIN – 1985 Maccabiah – named Midwest Region Coach of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. She is currently in her 8th year as the head women’s tennis coach at University of Michigan.

TAL BRODY – 1965, 1969 Maccabiah – honored by the State of Israel on May 12 with the Bonei Israel Award.

ANDREW BROWN – 2011 Pan Am; 2013 Maccabiah – named head coach of the Union College women’s volleyball program on April 28.

EVAN CONTI – 2009, 2013 Maccabiah – signed with professional basketball agent upon graduation from Quinnipiac University and plans to make Aliyah and play professional basketball in Israel.

MARLEE EHRLICH – 2009, 2013 Maccabiah; MUSA Jr. Board – selected as a co-captain for Harvard University’s Women’s Swimming & Diving Team for the 2015/2016 season.

ZACHARY ELFENBEIN – 2009 Maccabiah; 2011 Pan Am; 2015 European; MUSA Jr. Board – accepted position as the Assistant Sports Director at the Marcus JCC in Atlanta, Georgia.

JOSH FRIED – 2011 European; 2013 Maccabiah – coached at Coach K’s Duke Basketball Camp over the summer.

PRESTON GOLDFARB – 2009, 2013 Maccabiah, 2010 Australia – will coach his final season of soccer, his 33rd, this year, after which he will retire from coaching.

CARL GROSSMAN – 1993, 2001, 2013 Maccabiah – coached Cheltenham HS to a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association State Championship in Track & Field.

JESSE ITZLER – 2009 Maccabiah—and RICHARD SCHNALL—2013 Maccabiah – purchased the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA as part of an $850 million deal on April 23, 2015.

JACQUI KALIN – 2013 Maccabiah – hired as the Coordinator of Women’s Basketba l l Operations at Drake University.

JANE KATZ – 1957, 1961, 1977, 1993, 1997, 2009, 2013 Maccabiah; 1995, 2007 Pan Am; 2011 European – presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.

JEREMIAH KREISBERG – 2009 Maccabiah; 2015 European – signed professional contract with Maccabi Bazan Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Super League.

ANDREW LARKIN – 2011 Pan Am – named the Assistant Men’s Golf Coach at UCLA after a successful career as the head coach at Occidental College.

MICHAEL LEVY – 2013 Maccabiah – earned NCAA postgraduate scholarship to continue his academic studies as a human biology major at Stanford University.

AMANDA MADDAHI – 2005, 2009 Maccabiah; MUSA Jr. Board – earned her medical degree from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv on May 10.

Welcome to our MACCABABIES!BETSY GROSSMAN – MUSA Board – welcomed grandson Logan Harper Grossman, son of ALI & GEOFFREY GROSSMAN, her sixth grandchild, born in Los Angeles on August 31, 2014.

JOSH SCHACHTER – 2003 Pan Am; 2005 Maccabiah; MUSA Board – and his wife SHAINA welcomed daughter Lucy (LuLu), born on January 21.

GENE EYDELMAN – 2005-2013 Maccabiah – and wife INESSA, a member of Maccabi Russia’s Team at the 2013 Maccabiah Games whom he met at the Opening Ceremony, welcomed daughter Milana Dora Eydelman, born on March 13.

LELAND FAUST – 1965, 1973, 2005 Maccabiah; MUSA Board – and wife SUSAN, welcomed grandson Jacob Faust, son of AARON and BLYE FAUST, little brother to Benjamin, on March 30.

FRED COHEN – 2003-2011 Pan Am; 2005-2013 Maccabiah; MUSA Board – and wife DHANA welcomed grandson Brandon Wes Shore, son of BARI COHEN SHORE and HOWARD SHORE, born on June 26.

SUMMER RUNESTAD – 2007 Pan Am; 2009, 2013 Maccabiah; MUSA Board – and husband TONY welcomed son Jake, born on June 26.

RYAN MARKS – 2001 Maccabiah – earned collegeinsider.com’s Jack Bennett Award, presented annually to a non-NCAA Division I

head coach who achieves success on the court while displaying great moral integrity off the court.

ADAM MOYERMAN – 2001-2013 Maccabiah; 2007 Pan Am – assumed control of the 28th Annual Liberty Bell Judo Classic from his father, LOU MOYERMAN.

LOU MOYERMAN – 1981, 1989-1997, 2005-2013 Maccabiah; 2007 European; 2010 Australia; 2011 Pan Am; MUSA Board – was the Team Manager for the USA Cadet World Championship in Sarajevo, Bosnia, August 2-9.

SAM MOYERMAN – 2005 Maccabiah; 2007 Pan Am – married Elizabeth Leis on May 30, in Doylestown, PA. The couple honeymooned in Switzerland.

STEPHANIE MOYERMAN – 2001-2009 Maccabiah; 2007 Pan Am; 2007 European – developed a smart helmet for motorcycles through Intel’s New Devices Group that utilized technology to better connect the rider to his/her motorcycle.

ANDREA MUREZ – 2009, 2013 Maccabiah – qualified for Israel’s Swim team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro after making Aliyah.

MICHAEL OREN – 1977 Maccabiah – followed up his term as Israel’s Ambassador to the USA by returning to Israel to serve as a member of the Knesset and to write a book titled, Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide. A medal-winning rower for Team USA, Michael was also honored as one of Maccabi USA’s Legends of the Maccabiah in 2014.

JORDAN SCHILIT – 2005, 2013 Maccabiah – hired as the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Assistant Coach at Middlebury College.

JASON SINKOFF – 2010 Australia – worked as Director of Tennis and Assistant Program Director for the JCC Maccabi Sports Camp near San Francisco.

SARAH SUSSON – 2007 Pan Am; 2009, 2013 Maccabiah – married MAX LEVINE – 2009, 2013 Maccabiah – on May 30 in Orange County, California. Maccabi USA alumni in attendance were JOJI KUROSAKI, MATTHEW SUSSON & HARVEY LEFF.

ZACH TEST – 2009, 2013 Maccabiah – earned his first appearance with USA Rugby XV’s against Samoa on July 18.

ABIGAIL TUFTS – 2005 Maccabiah; 2007 Pan Am; MUSA Jr. Board – took a position with Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals in their Media Relations department.

REBECCA YOSHOR – 2010 Australia – graduated from Yeshiva University after leading the NCAA, in all divisions both male and female, in rebounds per game as a senior.

Richard Yaffa JANUARY 21

Tennis - 2003 Pan AmRichard was a member of Team USA at the 2003 Pan American Maccabi Games in Santiago Chile, competing in Grand Masters Tennis. A USTA nationally-ranked tennis player on the seniors circuit, Richard was elected to the Westchester and New Rochelle Sports Halls of Fame. He passed away at the age of 82, leaving behind his wife Claire, their two sons and three grandchildren.

Irving Mondschein JUNE 5

Track & Field - 1981-1989 Maccabiah GamesIrving served as the Head Coach for Maccabi USA’s Open Track & Field Team at three consecutive Maccabiah Games - in 1981, 1985 and 1989. A true legend in the Track & Field community, he passed away at the age of 91, leaving behind his wife, Momoe, their three children, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Simon Denenberg AUGUST 3

1985 Maccabiah Organizing Committee Endower

Si was a longtime supporter of Maccabi USA, as an endower of the organization as well as serving on the 12th World Maccabiah Games USA Organizing Committee with his wife, Marilyn. Si also lent his musical skills as he played the violin at the annual Chanukah festivities at the Maccabi USA office in Philadelphia. He passed away at the age of 80, leaving behind his wife Marilyn, their three children and seven grandchildren.

Herbert S. Sherman AUGUST 9

Maccabi USA SupporterA longtime supporter of Maccabi USA since the early 1980s, Herb was also a Maccabiah Games Sponsor and served as Chairman of the Maccabi USA Palm Beach County Golf Tournament in Florida. Herb and his brother founded Sherman Brothers Shoes in 1953 in Philadelphia, and it quickly became known as Philadelphia’s finest men’s shoe store. Herb was the beloved husband of the late Marjorie, the devoted father of three and adored grandfather of seven.

Fall 2015 | sportscene | 11

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.

May their memory be for a blessing.

MARTIN GILBERT – 1985, 2005, 2009 Maccabiah – Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

BEN GOLDMAN – 1977 Maccabiah – Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

LAUREN DE MENO – 2011 Pan Am; 2013 Maccabiah – Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame.

ISADORE KEIL – 1961 Maccabiah – Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.

B R I A N A A D A M O V S K Y SCHENZEL – 2005 Maccabiah – Ohio University Hall of Fame.

BARRY GOLDSMITH – 2009 Maccabiah – National Junior College Athletic A s s o c i a t i o n Tennis Hall of Fame.

MAX BEHR – 1995-2003 Pan Am; 1997-2009 Maccabiah; 2006 Australia; MUSA Board – Louisville JCC Athletic Hall of Fame.

PEYTON GREENBERG – 2013 Maccabiah – Louisville JCC Athletic Hall of Fame.

HALLS OF FAME

We mourn the passing...

President Ron CarnerExecutive Director Jed MargolisMarketing Director Sara FeinsteinMarketing Associate Sam Balaban-FeldDesign The Kiva Group

1511 Walnut St., Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA 19102215.561.6900 Fax: 215.561.5470maccabi@maccabiusa.comwww.maccabiusa.com©2009 Maccabi USAMaccabi USA is a Registered TrademarkSince 1948, Maccabi USA (MUSA) has sought to enrich the lives of Jews in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The organization is the sponsor of the U.S. Team to the World Maccabiah Games. MUSA also sponsors U.S. participation in Maccabi competitions in Pan America and Europe, and supports Jewish youth through the JCC Maccabi Games.

United States CommitteeSports for Israel1511 Walnut Street, Suite 401Philadelphia, PA 19102

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDPermit No. 1291Philadelphia, PA

MACCABI USA/SPORTS FOR ISRAEL ENDOWMENTS as of July 22, 2015

20TH MACCABIAH SPONSOR OUR ATHLETES as of July 22, 2015

PATRONS • Level $1,000,000+Ellen & Samuel Sporn (A) (IC)Stuart Weitzman Family Foundation (A)

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE Level $180,000+Kerry & Alan Appelbaum (A)Talia & Ron CarnerLeah & Ed FrankelKeith Frankel (A)Monica & Barry GurlandIris & Igal HamiEdy (z”l) & V. David (z”l) Levitt (A)Phyllis Magerman (z”l) B’nai Mitzvah EndowmentJoy & Jerry MonkarshTaylor Hogge & Robert E. Spivak

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE Level $100,000+Sarah & Robert CohnCecile (z”l) & Allan DalfenCecile & Lester (z”l) FeinSuzan & Allen FoxMark S. Goldstein & the Jean Alenstein TrustKantor (A)/Knue (A) FamilyPhyllis (z”l) & Alan MagermanAmy & Alan MeltzerSusan & Harvey MorganThe Sheldon Family (A)Dr. Lee Winston & Herman Silver Charitable Fund/

Sam Rabinowitz (z”l)Toni & Wally WortmanSelig Zises & Ellyn Bank (A)

16th & 17th U.S. Maccabiah Teams

GIBORIM • Level $50,000+Sandi & Jerry BloombergThe Chaskin FamilyFlorence & Michael EdelsteinBenjamin Frankel Fund Lynn & Carl (z”l) GoldsteinMark S. and Marty GoldsteinShirlee & Bill (z”l) Jacobs (A)Ira KamensDonna & Jeffrey Laikind (A)Ilene & Melvyn MillerRobert Pincus (A) & FamilyEstherly & Leonard Reifman (A)Barbara Brizdle (A) & Larry Schoenberg (A)Janet & Ellis (z”l) ShoreJill & Stu Siegel (A)Harry & Beatrice Sley Foundation/ Betsy GrossmanDiane & David SternMarilyn & Harry Swimmer

ISRAEL SPORTS AMBASSADOR Level $25,000+ Jan Albert (A) Family Golf EndowmentEllen and Si AtlasGladys & Lewis Bass (A) & Family EndowmentRuth & Ray BrennerBarbara & Jim Bronner (A)Marilyn & Simon DenenbergDoris & Sheldon (z”l) Gitman (A)Norma & Charles GoldenJoy & Gary Gordon (A)

Jean & Stephen KaplanStanley Kleckner (A)Marilyn & Mark Labkon Family EndowmentCarol (z”l) & Harvey Leff (A)Jon (A), Kelly, Kenton & Ashlyn LevinCissie & Robert LevySydney Levy MemorialRonnie & David LowenthalTonja & Joel MagermanMichael L. Magerman FamilyBeth & Jed Margolis (A)Ava, Edward & Jordan (A) MendelsonDennis (A), Marc & Steve NeedlemanBernard Osher FoundationThe Pincus Charitable Fund (A)The Rabinovitch Foundation (A)May & Samuel Rudin FoundationDana & Mark SussonWertheim Family Endowment

ENDOWMENT • Level Under $25,000AnonymousThe Abramson Family FoundationJean R. Alenstein TrustGerry and Hank AlpertArlene and Richard (z”l) BatchleyBerlin Family Foundation Inc.Doris Dannenhirsch Beshunsky (z”l) (A)Borden FamilyMorris and Rose Bornstein Memorial Fund (A)Jeffrey Bukantz (A)Ralph Chernin and FamilyLinda and Jeffrey Chodorow

Marcia and Sheldon CloobeckSophie and Albert CromeSteven Damashek Memorial FundMiriam and Harvey DiamondLeo EisnerField-KrasnoffFreidin-ZimanRhona and David FurmanDoris and Sheldon Gitman (A)Gittleson Family EndowmentRichard Goldman Memorial FundRita and Marvin Goldstein Edward Gottlieb Memorial FundZachary Hahn Memorial FundBenjamin Joseph Hahn Memorial FundBettina and Izzy Horowitz (A)Laura and Richard (z”l) HorowitzBarbara and George HymanLeslie and David Kantor (A)Susan and Robert KleinSondra and Herbert KupersmithCarole and Robert LandauScott, Jan, Morgan and Skylar LaneDan LevensonJeanie and Armand LindenbaumMark J. Rosenberg Memorial FundTema and Joseph MerbackMilken Family FoundationJune and Sidney MorayJan and Jay Moses (A)In Honor of Carly and Erica NovichRandolph and Judith Pace FoundationMuriel and Ed PickardBernard Pomerantz Memorial Fund

The Pressman and Friends GroupEstherly and Leonard Reifman (A)Anne and Harry J. Reicher FoundationLinda RiceRochester Chapter Maccabi USA Louise and Claude Rosenberg (A)Nina and Robert RosenthalJudith and Ben Rubin (A)Neal RudderSalter/PrawSalter Family TrustToby and Michael SalterNaomi and Dolph Schayes (A)Wendy and Dan Schayes (A)In Memory of Arthur & Edith SelverstoneNancy and James ShalekSharrow Memorial FundJason ShrinskySidney Margolis Memorial EndowmentSiegfried FamilyCharles SimonRhea and Edward SladeEdward M. Slater Memorial FundLouise and William SteermanTanner TananbaumRuth and Howard WalzerPatricia and Philip WexlerIra and Shirley Yohalem EndowmentDeborah Miller and William Zabel (A)

Lorraine (A) and Richard Abramson (A)**Bindler, Bogen, Buchwald, Eisenman, Kent, Novatt and Associates Talia and Ron CarnerJess Forrest (A)Mona Geller

Gregg Goldberg (A)Laura and David GooneLinda (z”l) and Frank Greenberg (z”l) (IC)Becky and David Heller****Sigmund Hiller (z”l)

Stuart and Eileen Kaufman Foundation Inc.Marc KirshnerWendy and Jeff Krieger (A)Betty and Charles Lebovitz***Paula and David Menche

Pat and Steve Mizel****Nina and Edward Paul FamilyAileen and Brian Roberts (A, IC)Seed The Dream Foundation (IC)Lizzie and Jonathan TischJenny and Neil Tramer

TSG Reporting Inc.USA Masters Men’s Maccabiah Soccer Alumni

(A) Athlete | (IC) ISRAEL CONNECT | **Sponsored two athletes ($6,000 per athlete) | ***Sponsored three athletes | ****Sponsored four athletes or more

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