4 Jewish freepress news Maccabi games athletes shine at Jewish Film Festival Men and women, young Prime Minister Menachem nership with the Jewish talking about those heady stayed. Over the years is now on the board of adults and seniors all earned Begin. Israeli emotions were Community Foundation days, sharing memories Brody has developed a directors of Maccabi the podium as the Jewish roiling but the country unit- of Calgary. The film, by about his teammates, and strong family life, a deep Canada. Calgary has a Film Festival finale on ed behind the daring exploits director Dani Menkin, has answering audience ques- Jewish connection and the long tradition of support Sunday, November 22 paid of the Maccabi Tel Aviv bas- not been publicly screened tions. Brody was visibly opportunity of becoming a and participation in the tribute to all the athletes in ketball team. before so it was an exclusive moved when he recount- roving goodwill ambassa- various Maccabi games Calgary who have participat- and many of the local ed in the Maccabiah Games. Jewish athletes were Joining them on stage at called to the stage in a the Beth Tzedec congrega- show of appreciation. tion was the legendary Tal Balaban said he has Brody, who brought much gone through his own fame to Israel nearly four personal transformation decades ago when he and by participating in the his Maccabi Tel Aviv team- Maccabi movement and he mates shocked the world encouraged others to pur- and brought Israel it’s first sue the same opportunity. European Cup basketball The original goal of the championship. Maccabi World Union was After that triumphant to promote physical fit- game in 1977 Tal Brody ness among European Jews blurted out one the great in order to better prepare quotes in Israeli history: them for the hard work of “We’re on the map . and building a modern Jewish we’re going to stay on the state in Israel. Balaban said map . not just in sports, that vision is still valid but in everything.” today as the participation Those few words caught Calgary participants in the Maccabi Canada sporting movement are called to the stage with in sports helps promote the times like no other. The Israeli basketball legend Tal Brody (holding the basketball) after the Jewish Film Festival screen- lasting Jewish identity and Yom Kippur war was still ing of the film “On the Map,” on Sunday, November 22. a strengthening of Zionist in memory. Prime Minister commitment. Yitzhak Rabin had to resign The story of that illustri- for the Jewish Film Festival. ed all the blessings that dor for the State of Israel. For information about the because of a financial scan- ous team and one of its key When Tal Brody have come his way after Later Brody was joined Maccabi movement you can dal. It was the year Egyptian players, Tal Brody, was told appeared on the stage he he gave up life as a pro- on stage by Jordan go to www.maccabicanada. President Anwar Sadat made in the remarkable film, “On was greeted with a loud fessional basketball pros- Balaban, a basketball com. To connect to the local a historic visit to Jerusalem the Map,” which screened ovation and gave gen- pect in the U.S. to come star himself, who has organization you can email to sign a peace treaty with at the Beth Tzedec in part- erously of his time in to Israel as a Maccabia participated in several Jordan Balaban at jordan@ Games participant – and Maccabiah Games and greengatepower.com The Calgary Jewish Academy The Calgary Jewish Academy בית הספר בית הספר היהודי בקלגרי היהודי בקלגרי May the warmth and glow of each candle you light make your heart and home happy and Hanukkah bright! Please join us at our Open House Nursery (3 years) - Grade 9 Monday, January 25th to Friday, January 29th 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. To learn more about our school and our admissions process please visit: www.calgaryjewishacademy.com/content/admissions-process Call 403-255-3992 for a personal tour. Please call Shoshana Kirmayer, Associate Principal www.calgaryjewishacademy.com at 403-253-3992 to schedule a private tour..