Sportscene | Fall 2016 the MAGIC of the MACCABIAH! JOIN US in ISRAEL for the MACCABIAH GAMES
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VOLUME 14 | NUMBER 2 | FALL 2016 THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MACCABI USA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE “I was a very competitive golfer growing up 2 Dan and won a lot of big events,” said Dan. “I THE MAGIC OF THE MACCABIAH 3 Frankel don’t remember anything as vividly as I remember winning the Qualifier in 2004. 20TH MACCABIAH LAUNCH GALA first picked up a golf What a big moment in my golf career, and 4 club as a two-year old. RECENT EVENTS subsequently my life.” His father, Van, would UPCOMING EVENTS 5 bring Dan with him Dan describes the most special moment of MACCABI MATCH to his lessons and his life as occuring on a golf course at the 6 noticed something 2005 World Maccabiah Games. His dad, VOLUNTEER AND DONOR PROFILES 8 interesting about his behavior. He would who started and nurtured Dan’s love for the mimic his dad’s every move, including sport, acted as his caddy throughout the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE 9 swinging a phantom golf club. “I’ll never entire tournament at Caesarea in Israel. “My forget,” remarked Dan. “My dad turned dad and I have a very special relationship,” NEWS 10 around, broke his 3-wood in half, duct-taped Dan explained. “He caddied for me for 72 the shaft, and put a Bugs Bunny head cover holes in Israel. After sinking my putt on the on it. The moment I put that club in my 18th hole in the final round, we shared an hands, I was hooked.” That moment marks unforgettable hug. I was on my way to college INSIDE THIS ISSUE THIS INSIDE the beginning of Dan’s lifelong journey with after the Games, so spending that time with Golf. him in Israel will always be priceless.” In the early 2000s, Dan was a fixture on After the 2005 Maccabiah, Dan attended the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, where he Junior Golf circuit. He played in and won majored in Music and Religious Studies and countless tournaments and was named also played on their Golf team, qualifying for the Metropolitan PGA Player of the Year the NCAA DIII Golf Tournament twice. Every three years consecutively, from 2000- summer, he interned for the Metropolitan 2002. In 2004 Dan was approached by Jeff PGA, taking off some time to attend the Fleishman and Alan Sherman, the Team Maccabi Australia International Games in USA Golf Co-Chairs for the 17th World 2006, where he won a team silver medal. Maccabiah Games, to try out for Maccabi Upon graduation, The Metropolitan PGA USA’s Juniors Golf team by golfing at the offered Dan a full-time position and today he Qualifier in North Carolina. is their Director of Junior Golf. Dan had a difficult decision to make; either participate in the JCC Maccabi Games, where he had previously competed at three “I don’t remember anything as Games, or qualify for the Maccabi USA Juniors Golf Team. He chose the Qualifier vividly as I remember winning and shot between 76 and 78 for all three the Qualifier in 2004.” rounds, culminating in a tournament victory. (continued on page 2) Dan Frankel PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (continued from front page) Considered by many in his industry as the Over the summer I had the chance to reflect on the power “Guru of Junior Golf,” Dan was appointed and impact that the Maccabiah Games make on our athletes, as the Head Coach for Team USA’s Juniors our volunteers, on the State of Israel, and on the worldwide Jewish Community. What started as the vision of a young Golf team for the 2013 World Maccabiah 15-year-old, Yosef Yekutieli, has grown to become the third Games, winning a team silver with the boys largest international sports competition in the world today. I and a team gold with the girls. At the end marvel at and am appreciative of the thousands of hours that of these Games, Dan had the opportunity our volunteers put in for the greater good of our athletes, as to utilize his amazing singing voice. “I was we provide life-changing experiences for our Team members given the honor of singing Hatikvah at the ranging in age from 15-85. Next summer, over 9,000 athletes Golf Closing Ceremony,” Dan reminisced. from 75+ nations will march into Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem “To combine my three biggest passions in in front of 40,000 people in the stands, being viewed by life — golf, singing and Israel — into one millions in Israel and around the globe. It will be a powerful moment that will remain in and sing the Israeli national anthem in front their hearts forever. Creating positive Jewish memories is a testament to what we do of 700 people is what I often think about best, and have been doing for over 80 years. With growing anti-Semitism worldwide, this when I reminisce about my Maccabiah is our response — a stronger “next generation” that is proud to be Jewish. We never stop believing in our uniqueness and the strength of our identity as Jews — the same points experiences.” that outsiders might condemn us for. He returned as a volunteer with Maccabi USA for the 2015 Pan American Maccabi Through our work at Maccabi USA we prove time and again that we are bonded. We are Games, as the Overall Head Coach and committed to bring our young into the fold in order that they, too, can share that connection Chairman for Team USA’s Golf teams in to both our past and our future. And we demonstrate to the world who we truly are — honorable, proud and strong people. Rather than be cowed by a misperception and lies Santiago, Chile. “I take great pride in the about us, we put our best face forward in order that the world can see what Jews are made fact that our team, ranging in ages from 15- of. Sport is our means to accomplish that. 75, coalesced into one giant Maccabi family in such a short period of time,” Dan said. At a time when routine religious practices are becoming the focus of fewer Jews, as He hopes to replicate this feeling for the fast-changing realities lure our younger generation to spread its wings into fields never Golf team for the 2017 World Maccabiah before known, we pull them back through sports. No other interest can physically bring Games in his role as Team USA’s Overall together so many people as do sports competitions. Once physically with us, we take Golf Co-Chair. the opportunity to expose their hearts and minds to the great spirit of the Jewish people and the miracle of the State of Israel. We return to each athlete a piece of themselves It’s safe to say that Dan loves Maccabi he or she hadn’t known was missing. The educational impact of putting Jewish athletes USA. “I will beg, borrow and steal for the from diverse nations together is enormous — and powerful. The opportunity to compete organization,” laughs Dan. “I can’t give with other Jews in their sport creates the backdrop for the sense of our people — their back enough to Maccabi USA for the life- similarities and their closeness across international boundaries. changing experiences and opportunities I have been associated with this brilliant concept and its organization for the past 30 I have had through their projects and years and I still get excited when I am told by athletes — past or present alumni — that programs. I have formed some of my the Maccabiah was “one of the greatest experiences in my life” or “was a life-changing closest relationships with the people I met experience.” Recently a Masters Ice Hockey player said to me that the Maccabiah was through Maccabi USA, and will cherish the the “highlight of my life.” Indeed, the Maccabiah Games are a life-altering event for memories I have of all the Games I’ve been the athletes, supporters and volunteers. It is a transformative experience that gives a part of for the rest of my life.” the participants a new perspective of themselves — as athletes, as Americans and as Jews. While it reinforces the centrality of Israel to Jewish security and pride, it is also an emotional journey in which many lifelong friendships are formed. What starts as a fun-filled competitive sports event turns into a journey of discovery, friendship, Jewish awareness and pride. Athletes who just happen to be Jewish, return home as proud Jewish athletes. Next year in Jerusalem!!! Sincerely, Ron Carner, President Maccabi USA 2 | sportscene | Fall 2016 THE MAGIC OF THE MACCABIAH! JOIN US IN ISRAEL FOR THE MACCABIAH GAMES One of the greatest ways to enjoy the beauty of Israel and her people All Mission programs include tickets to Opening and Closing is through the Maccabiah Games. Whether as an athlete, spectator Ceremonies, touring, special parties and events, services of a or volunteer you will be part of the 9,000+ international Maccabi dedicated hospitality desk staffed by Maccabi USA personnel and family gathered in Israel because of a shared love of sport. We have travel specialists, and transportation to sporting competitions. multiple options for you to join us in Israel July 4–18, 2017. Participation in the Mission is the easiest way to experience the First and foremost, if you are an athlete and want to compete Maccabiah Games, develop lifelong friendships and become in the world’s third largest international sporting event, visit immersed in all things Maccabi.