VOLUME 13 | NUMBER 2 | FALL 2015 THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MACCABI USA

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE gold and four silver medals and breaking 2 Andrea Murez four records in the 50m 13TH PAN AMERICAN MACCABI From the Maccabiah to the Freestyle (26:44), 100m Freestyle (0:56.44), 3 GAMES 2016 Olympics 200m Freestyle (2:03.45) and the 200m LEGENDS OF THE MACCABIAH Individual Medley (2:20.74). After the Andrea ‘Andi’ Murez began swimming Maccabiah Games, Andi headed to Stanford competitively in Santa Monica, California UPCOMING EVENTS University where she had a successful and now is on her way to the 2016 Summer 4 RECENT EVENTS college career. Olympics as a member of the Israeli National Team! Andi, along with her brother MACCABI USA MISSION TO CUBA “My grandfather had a great influence 5 EUROPEAN MACCABI GAMES Zachary, attended a beach lifeguard camp as children. After on our involvement in swimming and MACCABI MATCH camp ended, their father wanted 8 them to become better swimmers especially in the Maccabiah Games.” EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE and so they joined the local club, 9 Team Santa Monica. The international competition wasn’t NEWS Once Andi started swimming competitively the only highlight of Andi’s Maccabiah 10 she never stopped. She swam for Venice

INSIDE THIS ISSUE experience. In 2009 she had the opportunity High School in Southern California and won to participate in the CONNECT eight City Section championships and set program, where she visited the cultural and four city records. Andi was inducted into historic sites of Israel and participated in the the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall B’nai Mitzvah program and cultural identity of Fame as the Female Jewish High School seminars. Besides having the opportunity to Athlete of the Year. share this experience with her brother, she After completing her senior year in made many friends, both with her teammates high school, Andi represented Team USA and competitors from around the world. at the 2009 World Maccabiah Games in Andi’s parents and grandfather, Joe Israel. She was joined there by her brother Murez, came to Israel to cheer her and Zachary, himself a competitive swimmer Zachary on as they competed. for Yale University at the time and an “My grandfather had a great influence on alumnus of the 2003 Pan American our involvement in swimming and especially Maccabi USA Swim Team. in the Maccabiah Games,” Andi reflected, “We have a lot of family history in “so it was gratifying to have him in the swimming. My grandfather swam for stands and for me to be able to give him my Hakoah in Vienna in the 1930’s gold medal after one of my races.” and my dad swam competitively in She then qualified for the USA Team high school,” Andi said. competing at the She had an amazing in Israel, which she attended immediately competitive experience at the following her participation in the World 2009 Maccabiah, winning five

(continued on page 2) Andrea Murez PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (continued from front page) University Games in Kazan, . At the If you were not with us in Berlin, at the 2013 Maccabiah Games, Andi had another European Maccabi Games, you missed an historical outstanding competitive experience, event that was special on so many counts: winning seven medals – five gold and two You missed the marked dichotomy between this vibrant, silver – and was presented with the Most modern city that is a magnet for young artists and performers Outstanding Athlete Award for women. with a vast urban landscape of magnificent modern buildings, a “In 2009 I loved travelling around Israel city pulsating with a sense of constant renewal and flourishing beforehand and seeing many amazing sites. economy—and its ever-present evil recent history. You missed In 2013 I wasn’t able to join the Team for the camaraderie of fellow Maccabi athletes who, upon meeting the ISRAEL CONNECT program because of other Maccabi from across Europe, felt the instant bond the timing of the World University Games,” across cultural divides and simply hugged. Andi said. “But I really enjoyed competing The significance of this Jewish event was felt in every minute of seeing our youth move in the Games. I was able to meet and talk about—or enter a sports arena—with a show of strength and pride. It was felt in every to a number of Israelis about swimming for minute of just sitting at one of the thousands of outdoor cafés that had once been banned Israel. This had a big impact on my decision to Jews. It was a sense of freedom contrasting the hundreds of decrees issued against to make . I don’t think I would have Jews (even forbidding Jewish veterinarians from treating Aryan dogs!). considered moving to Israel seriously if I For the historical opening ceremony, as the president of Maccabi USA, I was invited hadn’t had the opportunity to visit Israel, to sit in the stands with Maccabi movement officials. But how could I have passed on compete here and meet wonderful Jewish the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to express what has been in my heart for most of my athletes from around the world.” life? I chose to march with Team USA—a solidarity team to support our fellow European Andi describes competition for any counterparts—into the stadium, on the grounds of the 1936 Olympic Park adjacent to the team an amazing experience, particularly Stadium where Hitler had objected to the participation of Jews. Waving to the thousands of when the competition becomes bigger welcoming people and government officials of Berlin in the stands, one thought ran through than oneself. Competing for the USA at my mind: “Adolph, you s.o.b, we are here—while you and your kind rot in your graves.” the Maccabiah Games was important for (My actual expletives cannot be printed here.) The simultaneous conflicting feelings of her because she was able to represent her exultation and anger stayed with me the entire evening, yet were tipped into buoyancy country, but it was more about athletes 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 from around the world coming together my spirits. to compete as Jews. It was an amazing The event—starting with the lavish opening ceremony—was also a very important event experience that she will never forget. for the German government. The President of Germany, the Mayor of Berlin, the Minister When Andi competed for Stanford of Foreign Affairs, all expressed their collective shame over the behavior of their ancestors University, competing was about continuing and acknowledged the importance of our being there. And I could not avoid feeling pride a legacy of excellence in swimming for the for our making it all happen through the concept of sports. school and competing with the other girls It is through sports that we have brought a few hundred athletes, their families and on the team. After four years at Stanford, supporters to Germany to show our vigor and vitality. That is what Maccabi—the movement, she really learned what it means to be the ideology and the events—are all about. We accomplish through sports what no Jewish part of a team. Of course, being part of endeavor can: We physically place our USA Jewish youth with thousands of other Jews any national team is an honor and a huge from all corners of the globe, giving them a perspective of the Diaspora, of the depth of deal. Andi qualified for the 2016 Olympics Jewish identity, and of the unity of the Jewish people across centuries of persecution and by breaking the Israeli record for the 50m strife. It is this very reason that motivates me and makes me proud of my association with freestyle with a time of 25.12 seconds. Maccabi for thirty years. “I am so lucky to be able to be a part I cannot close without expressing my tremendous appreciation for our management of the Israeli National Team,” Andi said. “I team that has made it all possible: Tonja Magerman, the USA General Chairperson of these can’t wait to compete in upcoming events Games, Dan Kurtz Team Manager, and our hardworking and driven staff in Philadelphia and to wear the Israeli flag on my cap.” led by our Executive Director Jed Margolis. I must also assure you the next program, in Andi continues to stay involved with Maccabi December, 2015 for our in Santiago, will also be a fabulous USA and feels what we do is important event, full of ruach and camaraderie. GO TEAM USA. because it supports Jewish athletes and provides amazing opportunities like competing in the Maccabiah Games. Next summer, the entire Maccabi USA family Ron Carner, President will have their eyes glued to the swimming Maccabi USA competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics and will be cheering her on. 2 | sportscene | Fall 2015 13th Pan American Maccabi Games December 28, 2015 – January 4, 2016 | Santiago, Chile 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!

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).

LEGENDS OF THE Maccabi USA gratefully acknowledges the generosity MACCABIAH 2015 of its sponsors:

PLATINUM SPONSORS: Kerry and Alan Appelbaum Stephanie Fein Leslie and David Kantor

GOLD SPONSORS: Minna and Ronald Bakalarz Tania and Edward Bakalarz Steven Bakalarz (z”l) and the Bakalarz Family Monica and Barry Gurland Maccabi USA recognized 15 Legends Melaine Liss and Michael Spivak of the Maccabiah from around the world, all with ties to Southern Florida at a festive brunch on March 15 in Boca SILVER SPONSORS: Raton, Florida. Honorees are selected for their contributions to the Maccabi Cecile Fein Movement, through sports, volunteerism and support. Harvey Leff The Legends included two past Maccabi World Union Presidents – Guiora Annette and Bernard Mayer Esrubilsky (z”l) and Ronald Bakalarz, Tennis Phenom Angela Buxton, Golf AM Skier Insurance Professional Bruce Fleisher and Basketball Superstars – Lester Fein (z”l), Donna Taylor Hogge and Bob Spivak Orender and Daniel Schayes; along with Alan Appelbaum – Golf, Barry Gurland – Leadership, David Kantor – Basketball, Milt Kantor (z”l) – Leadership, Harvey BRONZE SPONSORS: Leff – Leadership, Russell Stoch – Squash, and David Weissman – Softball. Larry, Laura & Gary and Michelle & Steve Leff Maccabi USA presented the Maccabi Spirit award to Roy Salomon – Past President, Maccabi . The Maccabi Spirit Award is presented to an individual Sandra and Marvin Rubin 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 TABLE SPONSORS: been presented; the previous recipient was Peter Pollat of San Francisco at the Sarah and Robert Cohen inaugural Legends of the Maccabiah event in 2011. Daszkal Bolton LLP Over 350 guests gathered to see our Legends of the Maccabiah honored at Claudio Dombey the brunch where we were able to raise over $250,000. These funds will be used BH Asset Management, LLC to support the programs and projects supported by Maccabi USA which includes Linda and Russell Stoch gifts to Maccabi World Union and the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled. The Susson Family

Fall 2015 | sportscene | 3 upcoming recent events The Legends The 2015 Annual Philadelphia events of the Golf Tournament took place at the Maccabiah Riverton Country Club in Cinnaminson, of Florida NJ, on June 8. was held in Boca Rain threatened October 18, 2015 Raton, FL on to cut short the 11th Annual Westchester Brunch & Bridge/ March 15. Please see page 3 for details. tournament for the third year in a Canasta/Mah Jongg Event The 20th Annual Palm Beach row, but the skies Rye Brook, NY was played at the Golf Tournament cleared and we Falls Country Club in were treated to a October 19, 2015 sunny Lake Worth, fantastic day of FL, on March 16. San Francisco Golf and Bridge golf. A special thank you to Tournament The Tournament Tournaments Co-Chairs Bob Spivak and Marc Zumoff and was chaired by Lou Daly City, CA Steering Committee members Bruce Apple, Shook. A special Louis Barson, Mark Edfort, K.C. Isdaner, thank you to Steering November 14-15, 2015 David Lorry, Bruce Marks, Jon Miller, Mel Committee members Miller, Ross Miller, Mark Rabinowitz and Maccabi USA Conference Weekend Alan Appelbaum, Michael Spivak. Next year’s event will take Atlantic City, NJ Daniel Frankel, Gary Freedson, Larry Leff, place on June 6 in Cherry Hill, NJ. Maccabi Young Leadership Marty Riger and Bob Spivak. Next year’s event will again take place at the Falls The National Conference Put Your Best Shoes Forward Country Club on March 14. with Stuart Weitzman Event, in Atlantic City, NJ conjunction with The Maccabi World Union Congress WebThriftStore, took place in Israel from May 29 - June 2, December 28, 2015 – January 4, 2016 took place in 2015. Nearly a dozen Maccabi USA Pan American Maccabi Games New York, NY, on members attended, including Greg Santiago, Chile June 15, 2015. Bomzer, Jeff Bukantz, Ron Carner, Barry Guests brought Gurland, Tonja Magerman, Jed & Beth lightly-worn designer shoes, handbags, March 14, 2016 Margolis, Jeff Schulman, Jordan Weinstein clothing and accessories to stock the 21st Annual Palm Beach Golf Tournament & Toni Wortman. Yogev Matok, Steve Maccabi USA WebThriftStore and to help Lake Worth, FL Graber, David Braha, Dalia Cohen, Jeremy raise money for the projects and programs & Jena Pashak and Garrett & Kara Weber- of Maccabi USA. Stuart Weitzman, of Gale attended as part of Maccabi Young April 20, 2016 Stuart Weitzman Shoes, auctioned off the Leadership’s (MYL) Annual Seminar, only Maccabi USA Honors Ron Carner opportunity to custom design a pair of the second time MYL was involved at the New York, NY shoes with him in his studio. This event is Maccabi World Union Congress. being followed up with “Our Goal is Your May 19-May 24, 2016 The Annual Maccabi USA Gold” jewelry drive campaign. was Maccabi World Union Plenum Chicago Golf Tournament The held at North 13th European Maccabi Israel were held in Berlin, Germany, Shore Country Games July 27- Club in Glenview, June 6, 2016 August 5. IL, on June 1. Philadelphia/New Jersey Golf Tournament Please see Co-Chairs Fred pages (6-7) Cherry Hill, NJ Cohen and Mark for details. Fishman helped attract a large field of 2016 JCC Maccabi Games over 85 golfers, with the help of Steering Columbus, OH | July 24-July 29 Committee members Arnie Fielkow, Harry St. Louis, MO | July 31-August 5 Fishman, Jess Forrest, William Furie, Terry Stamford, CT | August 7-August 12 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 Get connected, thank you to Jennifer Zacarias for all of her hard work in organizing this event. stay engaged...

4 | sportscene | Fall 2015 Maccabi USA Mission To Cuba By Paul Rubin

One of the many wonderful surprises during our trip to Israel for famous Saturday night chicken dinner. We visited the old Jewish the World Maccabiah Games in 2013 was the participation of the cemetery on the outskirts of town and attended a baseball game Cuban Men’s Fast-Pitch Softball team. One day, I was chatting with my during which the local Industriales team – the New York Yankees of teammate, Mike Goldman, while we were watching the Cuban team Cuba – lost a critical game and incurred the wrath of their rabid fans. play Mexico at our venue in Ma’or (which means illumination) and we We set out to help the local Jewish community while reconnecting marveled about this Cuban squad, how they got to Israel and who they with our Cuban Mishpacha and we were able to do that with the were. We fantasized about visiting Cuba someday and connecting with supplies and sporting equipment we brought. As we walked the streets this team both on and off the ball field. of a once-great and still-fascinating city, we pondered what will become During the tournament I spoke briefly with Alex Eskenazi, the team of Cuba and its 1,500 or so Jewish citizens now that relations with the captain and fine young player. We vowed to keep in touch. Upon our U.S. are on the mend. We all want to return. 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 European Maccabi Games 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 I would like to thank all of the volunteers, coaches, managers, Maccabi Games were the friendships that we all made amongst our medical staff, and the staff at Maccabi USA who all put in countless teammates, competitors and supporters. hours to make this such an incredible, indelible experience. It was Our athletes performed with skill and good sportsmanship. We took my pleasure getting to know as many athletes and supporters as I home many medals, but that is not what everyone was talking about or was able to and hope to have the opportunity to see you all again on experiencing. The opportunity to compete as proud Jewish athletes in another Maccabi USA project. 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 Tonja Magerman, General Chair proudly into the Opening Ceremony proclaiming, “We are still here!” 2015 European Maccabi Games USA Organizing Committee

Fall 2015 | sportscene | 5 2015 EUROPEAN MACCABI GAMES

“My experience at the European Maccabi “This is definitely a life-changing Games was the best cultural, learning and experience, and I really appreciated athletic experience that I have ever had, I the opportunity to meet and compete with made memories and relationships that I hope athletes all over the world that happened to be Jewish.” and believe I will have for the rest of my life.” — ELIANA GOTTDENKER, JUNIORS GIRLS’ SWIMMING — ROBBIE FEINBERG, OPEN MEN’S BASKETBALL “Coming in and seeing all the people cheering for USA at “Being able to play the sport that I love while being the Opening Ceremony and also meeting everyone in our surrounded by Jews from all over the world is an delegation were my most memorable experiences.” extraordinary experience. I could not have felt more proud — CATHERINE PERLMUTTER, OPEN WOMEN’S FIELD HOCKEY to have earned a gold medal in Berlin, Germany on behalf of my team, my country, and my grandparents who were “Attending the Games with my family, making new friends Holocaust survivors.” on the team and facing competitors from around the world —CATIE CHASE, OPEN WOMEN’S SOCCER all while in the great city of Berlin was an experience of a lifetime.” — ONDREA SCHICIANO, MASTERS TENNIS

6 | sportscene | Fall 2015 “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 “When I think of my experience in Berlin I definitely think of all Maccabi experiences that I’ve done. More than the about all my great teammates and coaches that supported sports, the cultural aspect of helping to bring full circle what me during the Games. It was great to compete with such happened in Germany by making the German and European fantastic people around me.” Jewish community feel good about their future and our part — ALAN SHEKHTMAN, OPEN MEN’S BADMINTON in it was phenomenal. You can’t put a value on that; it was an uplifting and amazing experience.” “I vividly remember walking into the hotel and listening in - BRUCE APPLE, MASTERS GOLF awe to chants in more languages than I could imagine. I never knew “Happy Birthday” could be said in so many different “For me, the European Maccabi Games was a surreal languages! While the competition was great, the camaraderie experience in which Jews from all backgrounds and among the different countries, because of our passion for nationalities unified through intense competition; but at the sports and religion, is something I will always remember.” end of the day, sports came second to being Jewish.” — KATIE RESNICK, OPEN EQUESTRIAN-DRESSAGE — JOSH HAKIMIAN, YOUTH MEN’S SOCCER

Fall 2015 | sportscene | 7 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.

LESLIE AND JORDAN SCHLACHTER 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 (Carlson) and Leslie held an Israeli passport so they were able to get legally married Jordan Schlachter in Israel by the Team Rabbi surrounded by their teammates, Maccabi knew they were USA Leadership, and Jordan’s dad who joined them on the trip. destined to spend their lives together Maccabi USA has made a tremendous impact on both their lives beyond after their first meeting each other and beginning their lives together. Leslie attributes meeting on a bus as her involvement with the 2001 Open Women’s Basketball team as the they returned from catalyst that provided her the opportunity to live a personal dream, practice the night playing professional basketball in Israel. They have built strong, lasting before the Opening relationships with their teammates and Maccabi USA Leadership. They Ceremony at the continue to support and visit Israel and grow their love for the country 12th Pan American and Maccabi USA. Maccabi Games in Leslie works as the Medical Santiago, Chile in Director of the Mount Sinai 2003. Jordan sat behind Leslie, who turned around and just started Hospital Men’s Health talking with him. The conversation lasted beyond the bus ride to the Program and Jordan is the hotel and well into the evening. Jordan walked Leslie to her room that Chief Marketing Officer for the night and they shared a hug. For Jordan it was love at first sight and National Basketball Players Leslie told her roommate that she had just met her husband. Association, both in New York. Both Leslie and Jordan had competed for Maccabi USA in previous They reside in Manhattan with Games. Leslie competed at the 2001 Maccabiah as a member of the their children Devin and Eliza, Open Women’s Basketball team and then stayed on in Israel to play and their Goldendoodle, Bruno. professionally for Maccabi . 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, , and then began his Masters SARAH AND MAX LEVINE Basketball career at the 2003 Pan Am Maccabi Games in Santiago, Who was smitten first? That is the question that might not be answered, Chile where they met on that fateful evening. because according to Sarah (Susson), it was she, and according to Leslie had been given the honor of being named Flag Bearer for Team Max, it was he. What we do know is that they met at JFK Airport, USA, which meant she had to stand apart from her teammates in order Terminal 4, while standing in line as they were about to depart for Israel to march in the procession with the other countries during the Opening in July of 2009 for the 18th World Maccabiah Games. Ceremony. Jordan walked over to where she was standing and never According to Sarah, she saw Max standing in line and slipped in behind left her side the entire evening. Two days later, on a bus ride to a game, him so she would have the opportunity to talk with him. They struck Jordan told her, “I am going to marry you one day,” to which Leslie up a conversation and she was immediately struck by that ‘something replied, “Yes, you will.” special’ about him. According to Max, they were standing in line waiting Leslie and Jordan were married two years later, on June 19, 2005 in to go through security and he spotted Sarah wearing cut-off shorts, high Portland, CT. They had both qualified for the USA Team to compete white socks, a blue jacket, sunglasses, an oversized backpack and at the 2005 Maccabiah Games in Israel later that summer, Jordan fanny pack, and he was immediately smitten. What they both agree on for the Masters Men’s and Leslie for the Open Women’s Basketball is that that fateful meeting was the beginning of what is now their future.

8 | sportscene | Fall 2015 FALL EXECUTIVE Sarah was competing as a member DIRECTOR’S of the Open Volleyball team and 2015 Max as a member of the Rugby UPDATE MESSAGE team. During the ISRAEL CONNECT program, both their teams used Shalom, the same facility for practice in the We just returned from a morning and shared a bus while most incredible experience at touring. This provided them the the European Maccabi Games opportunity to get to know each in Berlin. These were Games other prior to the competition, of “Thrills and Chills.” Since we and they attended each other’s were in the shadow of the 1936 tournaments during the Games. Olympics, we had many exciting Although they had become good sports performances, yet what friends, Sarah lived on the West stood out most was the impact Coast and Max on the East Coast of being in Germany at this important time given the so they stayed in touch as pen growing anti-Semitism in Europe. pals for about 18 months. Sarah We began with a moving memorial service on Tisha came to visit a teammate in NYC B’Av when we lovingly remembered Olympians killed in in late 2010 and had the chance the Holocaust, the 11 Israeli Olympians murdered in to rendezvous with Max, and then Munich, and Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller, whose a few weeks later she came out for stories served as an inspiration to our Team. At the work and saw him again, then she visited some cousins in Maine over the Opening Ceremony, held in an amphitheater built for winter holidays and they met for a third time. Eventually Max got the hint and the ‘36 Olympics, the descendants of Marty and Sam flew out to the West Coast to visit Sarah after the New Year. Thus began the lit the torch - sending chills up and down our spines. bi-coastal courtship - and the rest, as they say, is history. Then, over 2,300 participants shared in a Guinness Sarah and Max got engaged in 2014 and were married in Southern California Book record-breaking Kiddush at Shabbat. This spoke on May 30 of this year. However, meeting and falling in love with each other to the strength and vitality of the Jewish People in a was not the only significant event that came from participating in the Maccabiah profound way. Games. For Max, his experiences with Maccabi USA were arguably the seminal I realize that none of this could be possible without event of his adult life. He met his wife, visited Israel with his family, became our wonderful volunteers, led by our Games’ Chair Tonja a Bar Mitzvah at Hebrew University (in 2009), played rugby on an international Magerman, our dedicated staff and the many athletes, stage and developed lifelong friendships. He has a stronger appreciation for coaches, management and medical staff, security team, his Jewish heritage and a strong connection to the State of Israel. parents and our supporters who joined us. We are also blessed to have many who have helped For Sarah, her experiences with Maccabi USA have deepened her connection us to get to this point. Whether it was by dedicating to her Jewish heritage and culture and increased her appreciation for Israel, time, energy or financial support, they too are vital and just as importantly, they have allowed her to develop lifelong friendships to our strength as an Organization. We continue to with other Jewish athletes from around the world. Most importantly for Sarah receive support through grants, donations, bequests, was the opportunity to experience the Games with her family. Meeting her and sponsorships for which we are very grateful. Our husband and having her family with her has made all of Sarah’s Maccabi USA endowment continues to grow and is now in the area experiences incredibly special. of $10 million. “Walking hand in hand into the Recently we reached the halfway mark of our efforts Opening Ceremony with Sarah in to fund the Maccabi Cuba Team going to Santiago for 2013, one day after winning the gold the Games in Chile in December. Our “Light It Forward” medal in Rugby 7s and four years after campaign continues to grow as we are determined to having met Sarah was an incredible ensure that no qualified athlete is turned away from the moment,” Max recalled. “We were life-changing experience of the Maccabiah in 2017. And able to find Sarah’s parents, my that includes not only American Team members but also parents and sister in the crowd, and those in distressed countries around the world. we were able to share that moment Thank you to all involved in Berlin, thank you to all with those we are closest with, half a our volunteers and staff who are crucial to our success, world away from where we lived.” and thank you to those who support our efforts through their financial commitment to the important work that Sarah and Max continue to stay involved with Maccabi USA as members of its we do. 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. L’shana Tova JED MARGOLIS, Executive Director

Fall 2015 | sportscene | 9 news DAVID ABIDOR – 2013 Maccabiah EVAN CONTI – 2009, 2013 Maccabiah – signed JACQUI KALIN – 2013 Maccabiah – joined professional soccer with professional basketball agent upon – hired as the Coordinator of team Dalkurd FF of the 3rd graduation from Quinnipiac University and Women’s Basketball Tier of Swedish Soccer. plans to make Aliyah and play professional Operations at Drake basketball in Israel. MICHAEL AUFRICHTIG – 1997 University. Maccabiah – MARLEE EHRLICH – 2009, 2013 Maccabiah; JANE KATZ – 1957, 1961, won the 2015 NCAA Fencing MUSA Jr. Board – selected as a co-captain for 1977, 1993, 1997, 2009, Championship as the head Harvard University’s Women’s Swimming & 2013 Maccabiah; 1995, 2007 coach of Columbia University. Diving Team for the 2015/2016 season. Pan Am; 2011 European – LESLIE BERGER – 2005, 2009 Maccabiah; 2006 ZACHARY ELFENBEIN – presented with a Lifetime – married Darrin Young on June 20, 2009 Maccabiah; 2011 Achievement Award from in Kansas City, Missouri, at a ceremony Pan Am; 2015 European; the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports attended by six of her MUSA teammates, MUSA Jr. Board – & Nutrition. including LISA FISCHMAN, JENNIFER FLEISCHER, accepted position as JEREMIAH KREISBERG – 2009 LINDSAY KRASNA, SHAINA POLLACK, HANNAH the Assistant Sports Maccabiah; 2015 European – WOLFE SCHMIDT and EMILY FELDMAN. Director at the Marcus JCC in Atlanta, signed professional contract Georgia. RONNI BERNSTEIN – 1985 Maccabiah – named with Maccabi Bazan Haifa of Midwest Region Coach of the Year by the JOSH FRIED – 2011 the Israeli Basketball Super Intercollegiate Tennis Association. She is European; 2013 Maccabiah League. currently in her 8th year as the head women’s – coached at Coach K’s ANDREW LARKIN – 2011 tennis coach at University of Michigan. Duke Basketball Camp Pan Am – named the over the summer. – 1965, 1969 Assistant Men’s Golf Maccabiah – honored by PRESTON GOLDFARB – 2009, 2013 Maccabiah, Coach at UCLA after the State of Israel on 2010 Australia – will coach his final season of a successful career May 12 with the Bonei soccer, his 33rd, this year, after which he as the head coach at Israel Award. will retire from coaching. Occidental College. ANDREW BROWN – 2011 Pan Am; 2013 Maccabiah CARL GROSSMAN – 1993, 2001, 2013 Maccabiah MICHAEL LEVY – 2013 Maccabiah – earned NCAA – named head coach of the – coached Cheltenham HS to a Pennsylvania postgraduate scholarship to continue his Union College women’s Interscholastic Athletic Association State academic studies as a human biology major volleyball program on April Championship in Track & Field. at Stanford University. 28. JESSE ITZLER – 2009 Maccabiah—and RICHARD AMANDA MADDAHI – 2005, 2009 Maccabiah; SCHNALL—2013 Maccabiah – purchased the MUSA Jr. Board – earned her medical degree Atlanta Hawks of the NBA as part of an from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel $850 million deal on April 23, 2015. Aviv on May 10.

Welcome to our MACCABABIES! BETSY GROSSMAN JOSH SCHACHTER – GENE EYDELMAN – LELAND FAUST – FRED COHEN – 2003- SUMMER RUNESTAD – MUSA Board – 2003 Pan Am; 2005 2005-2013 Maccabiah 1965, 1973, 2005 2011 Pan Am; 2005- – 2007 Pan Am; 2009, welcomed grandson Maccabiah; MUSA – and wife INESSA, a Maccabiah; MUSA 2013 Maccabiah; MUSA 2013 Maccabiah; MUSA Logan Harper Board – and his wife member of Maccabi Board – and wife Board – and wife Board – and husband Grossman, son of SHAINA welcomed Russia’s Team at SUSAN, welcomed DHANA welcomed TONY welcomed ALI & GEOFFREY daughter Lucy (LuLu), the 2013 Maccabiah grandson Jacob Faust, grandson Brandon son Jake, born on GROSSMAN, her sixth born on January 21. Games whom he son of AARON and Wes Shore, son of June 26. grandchild, born in met at the Opening BLYE FAUST, little BARI COHEN SHORE Los Angeles on August Ceremony, welcomed brother to Benjamin, and HOWARD SHORE, 31, 2014. daughter Milana Dora on March 30. born on Eydelman, born on June 26. March 13.

10 | sportscene | Fall 2015 We mourn the passing... RYAN MARKS – 2001 MICHAEL OREN – 1977 Maccabiah – followed up Maccabiah – earned his term as Israel’s Ambassador to the USA collegeinsider.com’s by returning to Israel to serve as a member Richard Yaffa Jack Bennett Award, of the Knesset and to write a book titled, JANUARY 21 Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israeli presented annually to Tennis - 2003 Pan Am Divide a non-NCAA Division I . A medal-winning rower for Team Richard was a member of Team USA at head coach who achieves success on the USA, Michael was also honored as one of the 2003 Pan American Maccabi Games court while displaying great moral integrity Maccabi USA’s Legends of the Maccabiah in Santiago Chile, competing in Grand off the court. in 2014. Masters Tennis. A USTA nationally-ranked tennis player on the seniors circuit, Richard ADAM MOYERMAN – 2001- JORDAN SCHILIT – 2005, 2013 Maccabiah – was elected to the Westchester and New hired as the Men’s and Women’s Cross 2013 Maccabiah; 2007 Pan Rochelle Sports Halls of Fame. He passed Am – assumed control of Country and Track & Field Assistant Coach away at the age of 82, leaving behind the 28th Annual Liberty at Middlebury College. his wife Claire, their two sons and three Bell Judo Classic from his JASON SINKOFF – 2010 Australia – worked as grandchildren. father, LOU MOYERMAN. Director of Tennis and Assistant Program LOU MOYERMAN – Director for the JCC Maccabi Sports Camp Irving Mondschein 1981, 1989-1997, 2005-2013 near San Francisco. JUNE 5 Maccabiah; 2007 European; 2010 Australia; 2011 SARAH SUSSON – 2007 Pan Am; 2009, 2013 Track & Field - 1981-1989 Maccabiah Games Pan Am; MUSA Board – was the Team Manager Maccabiah – married MAX LEVINE – 2009, Irving served as the Head Coach for Maccabi for the USA Cadet World Championship in 2013 Maccabiah – on May 30 in Orange USA’s Open Track & Field Team at three Sarajevo, Bosnia, August 2-9. consecutive Maccabiah Games - in 1981, County, California. Maccabi USA alumni in 1985 and 1989. A true legend in the Track SAM MOYERMAN – 2005 attendance were JOJI KUROSAKI, MATTHEW & Field community, he passed away at the Maccabiah; 2007 Pan Am – SUSSON & HARVEY LEFF. age of 91, leaving behind his wife, Momoe, married Elizabeth Leis on May ZACH TEST – 2009, 2013 their three children, two grandchildren and 30, in Doylestown, PA. The one great-grandchild. Maccabiah – earned his couple honeymooned in first appearance with USA Switzerland. Rugby XV’s against Simon Denenberg STEPHANIE MOYERMAN – 2001-2009 Maccabiah; Samoa on July 18. AUGUST 3 2007 Pan Am; 2007 European – ABIGAIL TUFTS – 2005 Maccabiah; 2007 Pan Am; 1985 Maccabiah Organizing Committee developed a smart helmet for Endower MUSA Jr. Board – took a position with Major motorcycles through Intel’s Si was a longtime supporter of Maccabi USA, League Baseball’s Washington Nationals in New Devices Group that utilized as an endower of the organization as well their Media Relations department. technology to better connect the as serving on the 12th World Maccabiah rider to his/her motorcycle. REBECCA YOSHOR – 2010 Games USA Organizing Committee with Australia – graduated from his wife, Marilyn. Si also lent his musical ANDREA MUREZ – 2009, 2013 skills as he played the violin at the annual Yeshiva University after Maccabiah – qualified for Israel’s Chanukah festivities at the Maccabi USA leading the NCAA, in all Swim team at the 2016 office in Philadelphia. He passed away at the divisions both male and Olympics in Rio de Janeiro after age of 80, leaving behind his wife Marilyn, female, in rebounds per game making Aliyah. their three children and seven grandchildren. as a senior. Herbert S. Sherman AUGUST 9 Maccabi USA Supporter A longtime supporter of Maccabi USA since HALLS OF FAME the early 1980s, Herb was also a Maccabiah Games Sponsor and served as Chairman of MARTIN GILBERT – 1985, 2005, ISADORE KEIL – 1961 MAX BEHR – 1995-2003 Pan the Maccabi USA Palm Beach County Golf 2009 Maccabiah – Philadelphia Maccabiah – Delaware Sports Am; 1997-2009 Maccabiah; Tournament in Florida. Herb and his brother Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Museum and Hall of Fame. 2006 Australia; MUSA Board – founded Sherman Brothers Shoes in 1953 in Philadelphia, and it quickly became known BEN GOLDMAN – 1977 BRIANA ADAMOVSKY Louisville JCC Athletic Hall of Fame. as Philadelphia’s finest men’s shoe store. Maccabiah – Philadelphia SCHENZEL – 2005 Maccabiah – Herb was the beloved husband of the late Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Ohio University Hall of Fame. PEYTON GREENBERG – 2013 Marjorie, the devoted father of three and Maccabiah – Louisville JCC adored grandfather of seven. LAUREN DE MENO – 2011 Pan BARRY GOLDSMITH – 2009 Athletic Hall of Fame. Am; 2013 Maccabiah – Staten Maccabiah – Island Sports Hall of Fame. National Junior Our thoughts and prayers are College Athletic with the families. Association May their memory be for Tennis Hall of a blessing. Fame.

Fall 2015 | sportscene | 11 Committee Non-Profit Org. Sports for Israel US Postage 1511 Walnut Street, Suite 401 PAID Philadelphia, PA 19102 Permit No. 1291 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Philadelphia, PA President Ron Carner Executive Director Jed Margolis Marketing Director Sara Feinstein Marketing Associate Sam Balaban-Feld JOIN OUR Design The Kiva Group EMAIL LIST 1511 Walnut St., Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA 19102 215.561.6900 Fax: 215.561.5470 [email protected] www.maccabiusa.com ©2009 Maccabi USA Maccabi USA is a Registered Trademark Since 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.

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

PATRONS • Level $1,000,000+ 16th & 17th U.S. Maccabiah Teams Jean & Stephen Kaplan Marcia and Sheldon Cloobeck The Pressman and Friends Group Ellen & Samuel Sporn (A) (IC) Stanley Kleckner (A) Sophie and Albert Crome Estherly and Leonard Reifman (A) GIBORIM • Level $50,000+ Stuart Weitzman Family Foundation (A) Marilyn & Mark Labkon Family Steven Damashek Memorial Fund Anne and Harry J. Reicher Foundation Sandi & Jerry Bloomberg Endowment Miriam and Harvey Diamond Linda Rice CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE The Chaskin Family Carol (z”l) & Harvey Leff (A) Leo Eisner Rochester Chapter Maccabi USA Level $180,000+ Florence & Michael Edelstein Jon (A), Kelly, Kenton & Ashlyn Levin Field-Krasnoff Louise and Claude Rosenberg (A) Kerry & Alan Appelbaum (A) Benjamin Frankel Fund Cissie & Robert Levy Freidin-Ziman Nina and Robert Rosenthal Talia & Ron Carner Lynn & Carl (z”l) Goldstein Sydney Levy Memorial Rhona and David Furman Judith and Ben Rubin (A) Leah & Ed Frankel Mark S. and Marty Goldstein Ronnie & David Lowenthal Doris and Sheldon Gitman (A) Neal Rudder Keith Frankel (A) Shirlee & Bill (z”l) Jacobs (A) Tonja & Joel Magerman Gittleson Family Endowment Salter/Praw Monica & Barry Gurland Ira Kamens Michael L. Magerman Family Richard Goldman Memorial Fund Salter Family Trust Iris & Igal Hami Donna & Jeffrey Laikind (A) Beth & Jed Margolis (A) Rita and Marvin Goldstein Toby and Michael Salter Edy (z”l) & V. David (z”l) Levitt (A) Ilene & Melvyn Miller Ava, Edward & Jordan (A) Mendelson Edward Gottlieb Memorial Fund Naomi and Dolph Schayes (A) Phyllis Magerman (z”l) B’nai Mitzvah Robert Pincus (A) & Family Dennis (A), Marc & Steve Needleman Zachary Hahn Memorial Fund Wendy and Dan Schayes (A) Endowment Estherly & Leonard Reifman (A) Bernard Osher Foundation Benjamin Joseph Hahn In Memory of Arthur & Joy & Jerry Monkarsh Barbara Brizdle (A) & The Pincus Charitable Fund (A) Memorial Fund Edith Selverstone Taylor Hogge & Robert E. Spivak Larry Schoenberg (A) The Rabinovitch Foundation (A) Bettina and Izzy Horowitz (A) Nancy and James Shalek Janet & Ellis (z”l) Shore PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE May & Samuel Rudin Foundation Laura and Richard (z”l) Horowitz Sharrow Memorial Fund Jill & Stu Siegel (A) Level $100,000+ Dana & Mark Susson Barbara and George Hyman Jason Shrinsky Harry & Beatrice Sley Foundation/ Sarah & Robert Cohn Wertheim Family Endowment Leslie and David Kantor (A) Sidney Margolis Memorial Betsy Grossman Cecile (z”l) & Allan Dalfen Susan and Robert Klein Endowment Diane & David Stern ENDOWMENT • Level Under $25,000 Cecile & Lester (z”l) Fein Sondra and Herbert Kupersmith Siegfried Family Marilyn & Harry Swimmer Anonymous Suzan & Allen Fox Carole and Robert Landau Charles Simon The Abramson Family Foundation Mark S. Goldstein & ISRAEL SPORTS AMBASSADOR Scott, Jan, Morgan and Skylar Lane Rhea and Edward Slade Jean R. Alenstein Trust the Jean Alenstein Trust Level $25,000+ Dan Levenson Edward M. Slater Memorial Fund Gerry and Hank Alpert Kantor (A)/Knue (A) Family Jan Albert (A) Family Golf Endowment Jeanie and Armand Lindenbaum Louise and William Steerman Arlene and Richard (z”l) Batchley Phyllis (z”l) & Alan Magerman Ellen and Si Atlas Mark J. Rosenberg Memorial Fund Tanner Tananbaum Berlin Family Foundation Inc. Amy & Alan Meltzer Gladys & Lewis Bass (A) & Family Tema and Joseph Merback Ruth and Howard Walzer Doris Dannenhirsch Beshunsky (z”l) (A) Susan & Harvey Morgan Endowment Milken Family Foundation Patricia and Philip Wexler Borden Family The Sheldon Family (A) Ruth & Ray Brenner June and Sidney Moray Ira and Shirley Yohalem Endowment Morris and Rose Bornstein Dr. Lee Winston & Barbara & Jim Bronner (A) Jan and Jay Moses (A) Deborah Miller and William Zabel (A) Memorial Fund (A) Herman Silver Charitable Fund/ Marilyn & Simon Denenberg In Honor of Carly and Erica Novich Jeffrey Bukantz (A) Sam Rabinowitz (z”l) Doris & Sheldon (z”l) Gitman (A) Randolph and Judith Pace Foundation Ralph Chernin and Family Toni & Wally Wortman Norma & Charles Golden Muriel and Ed Pickard Linda and Jeffrey Chodorow Selig Zises & Ellyn Bank (A) Joy & Gary Gordon (A) Bernard Pomerantz Memorial Fund

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

Lorraine (A) and Richard Abramson (A)** Gregg Goldberg (A) Stuart and Eileen Kaufman Pat and Steve Mizel**** TSG Reporting Inc. Bindler, Bogen, Buchwald, Eisenman, Laura and David Goone Foundation Inc. Nina and Edward Paul Family USA Masters Men’s Maccabiah Kent, Novatt and Associates Linda (z”l) and Marc Kirshner Aileen and Brian Roberts (A, IC) Soccer Alumni Talia and Ron Carner Frank Greenberg (z”l) (IC) Wendy and Jeff Krieger (A) Seed The Dream Foundation (IC) Jess Forrest (A) Becky and David Heller**** Betty and Charles Lebovitz*** Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Mona Geller Sigmund Hiller (z”l) Paula and David Menche Jenny and Neil Tramer

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