THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MACCABI USA VOLUME 9 | NUMBER 2 | FALL 2013 MACCABI USA/SPORTS FOR ISRAEL ENDOWMENTS as of June 1, 2013 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE The 1997 Maccabiah man in Eric’s wedding, so it is a testament to 2 experience instilled the the bond only growing stronger. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE importance of Tzedakah The cultural and social elements of the 2013 YAKIR MACCABI AWARD Games made the entire experience much 3 in Todd Jacobson and he more fulfilling. Living in Netanya, visiting the made the commitment to himself to incorpo- RECENT EVENTS Dead Sea, saying prayers at the Western Wall rate its principals in his life. He has spent his - it is about more than just being an athlete, it 4 UPCOMING EVENTS career, since competing as a member of the is about celebrating being a Jewish athlete. USA Open Men’s Soccer Team at the 1997 TH One of the highlights of the Maccabiah 19 WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES Maccabiah Games, using sports to give back Games that Todd had been looking forward to the community. 5 MULTI-SPORT ORGANIZATION to was the Opening Ceremony. Unfortu- PARTNER “I grew up playing soccer. As soon as I could nately, in 1997 the Opening Ceremony was walk, my dad would roll the ball over and over marred by the tragic bridge collapse, where 19TH MACCABIAH SPONSOR OUR ATHLETES as of June 1, 2013 19TH WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES 6 to each foot to trap and kick back. I fell in love four Australian athletes were killed. “I was VOLUNTEER & DONOR PROFILES with the sport immediately and started playing about 90 yards away from the bridge when 8 organized soccer when I was four,” Todd said. it collapsed, it could have been anyone.” LEGENDS AND HEROES “I started compet- Todd reminisced. “We were all so excited 9 ing in the JCC and proud one moment and the next every- INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEWS Maccabi Games one was in complete shock. The experience 10 as a teenager and taught me how fleeting life can be and how always aspired to things can be taken away in an instant. We the USA Team all participated in a candlelight vigil – to and the World honor those whose lives were lost – it was a Maccabiah moment none of us will ever forget.” Games.” Todd returned home convinced that this once- After graduating in-a-lifetime opportunity he just experienced from Cornell at the Maccabiah Games, the good and the University in 1997, bad, had taught him so much about life and Todd qualified for the inspired him to make Tzedakah a central part Maccabi USA Soccer of his life. He knew that he wanted Tzedakah Team and headed to to be part of his career and that he wanted to Israel. The experience find a job that would allow him to use sports to was a life-changing help youth from all walks of life. one in many ways. Todd’s first job upon his return was with the The friends he made New York City Parks and Recreation Depart- ment, first as an analyst developing park remain his friends for programming and then as a director coordi- life. Nothing brings people closer than the ex- nating 42 city programs with a multi-million periences during the Games both on and off dollar budget. This first job out of college the field. The experience that stands out was allowed him to follow his passion of using helping his teammate at Cornell and now sports to unite people, whether it was at a Maccabi teammate Eric Kusseluk become a basketball tournament in Brooklyn or a Bar Mitzvah for the first time while he was in handball tournament in the Bronx. Israel. Not too long ago, Todd was the best (continued on page 2) Todd Jacobson (continued from front page) PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Todd later joined the NBA in 2000 where he worked with the NBA development league to create their community outreach programs. In my previous President’s Letter I asked “why do we do the In 2003 he had his first opportunity to travel Maccabiah”. to Soweto, South Africa with the NBA’s Bas- ketball without Borders program and this Well, we just completed the 19th Maccabiah and the answer to that experience also changed his life. question is obvious; just look at some of the quotes below. Ron Carner “I had never seen such extreme poverty “I spent 13 years in Israel playing professional basketball but before, it was overwhelming,” Todd said. I learned more about this country in the six-day ISRAEL CONNECT program than I did in all “However, to see the passion and energy that time.” Mike Carter, Open Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach that existed in the community and the role sports can play to inspire and change lives “Twenty-two men, a coach and a trainer who barely knew each other became friends, was incredible. Through the Basketball forever joined as the first USA Grand Masters soccer team to medal in a Maccabiah in Israel. without Borders Africa program, our NBA Friendships were formed, stories were created and even a few legends were made. For Family has created health centers, libraries some it may be the last time they ever play competitive soccer. For others this could be the and basketball courts, developed a food beginning of a revival. Whatever stage of the journey, if it weren’t for the Maccabiah this service and distribution program in Klip- would never have happened.” John Levene, Masters Soccer 45+ town and helped cultivate young leaders “The ISRAEL CONNECT program was all-encompassing as we explored the wonders of from more than 30 countries throughout Israel together. The program was most memorable and will leave an indelible impression Africa teaching them the values inherent in on all of us.” Sherry Levin, Juniors Girls’ Basketball Coach and Chair the game of basketball such as teamwork, respect, responsibility and living healthy “Dear All: I want to congratulate you all for a truly great Maccabiah. Bigger, better and lives. Helping lead our community outreach bringing even more spirit and kinship. You all deserve great credit and did yourselves proud.” work in Africa and seeing firsthand the Sam Sporn (from a guy who has seen a few Maccabiahs) power the NBA has to impact communities “This experience, the Maccabiah, is one of those rare experiences where superficiality and change lives has been life-changing.” disappears and something lasting develops. Many of my closest friends have made it through The concept of Tzedakah has remained with being on teams that spend a week or two together sharing meals, stories, touring and playing; Todd throughout his career and in his per- spending time together with a common experience outside of our normal life. This is unique for sonal life. It was a well-learned lesson at the adults.” Bob Litwin, Grand Masters Tennis Coach and Athlete Maccabiah Games that has stuck with him. “When he told me that we need to do Shabbat dinner more often and when he now plays “Sports define many of the athletes that Israeli music instead of the typical rap music, my heart is warmed. He so totally bonded with compete for Maccabi USA,” Todd explained. his teammates and he considers Elliot and Jamie the best coaches he has ever had.” “We all have these amazing experiences, Fern Bregman, mother of Michael Bregman – Youth Men’s Basketball great Jewish experiences, yet the most important thing any of us can do is figure These are just a few of the scores of responses we have received. We brought 1,115 Team out a way to make this experience happen members composed of 105 teams in 33 different sports. Overall, it was a very successful for someone else. The Maccabiah experi- three-year journey to get to this point and we made it back safely and accomplished our goals. ence teaches us to become leaders, and We had fantastic leadership with Jeff Bukantz as our General Chairman; Sports Chairmen; and Tzedakah, the idea of giving back, is a Lou Moyerman and his incredible hard-working staff in Management; and an amazing effort vital part of that experience.” by our Executive Director, Jed Margolis, and his staff, including Julie Churylo, Erin Dreyfuss, Todd became re-engaged with Maccabi Sara Feinstein, Sara Glassman, Sue Millis, Ami Monson, Karen Renshaw and Stephanie USA in 2009 as a member of the Board of Sorkin. They overcame their lack of sleep to get things done. Special thanks to Beth Margolis Directors and volunteer for the 60th An- and Monica Gurland who took on Mission responsibilities and to Barry Gurland and his true niversary Gala. “Getting involved has been diligence toward security. And how fortunate we were to have Jeff Schulman on the ground in a privilege for me,” Todd continued. “It is Israel before the Games to help us get things right. important for all Maccabi athletes that have had this opportunity to pay it forward and It was a wonderful experience for just about everyone. One that required total and exhausting help others get the same experience that effort, but truly worthwhile. was afforded us. If there hadn’t been finan- Now we move forward to the next project as there is much to accomplish in the Jewish world. cial help for me in 1997, I would not have been able to participate. This is a respon- sibility we all have to make sure that the funding is there for future generations, so that they may experience the life-changing impact of the Maccabiah Games.” Ron Carner, President, Maccabi USA Todd and his wife Jana reside in New York City.