PHILADELPHIA, PA – February 10 – Maccabi USA is seeking Jewish athletes to represent the United States at the 19th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 17 – 30, 2013. The Games will consist of over 35 sports, lasting 14 days with 7000+ athletes from over 60 countries. The World Maccabiah Games are the third largest international sporting competition in the world and the world’s largest international Jewish event. To learn more about the sports offered and to access an application, please visit our website.
Jeff Bukantz, General Chairman, USA 19th Maccabiah Organizing Committee, is working with his volunteer committee to appoint qualified athletes to represent the USA in both team and individual Sports in the Juniors, Youth, Open and Masters divisions. The Organizing Committee is working to field a USA Team that is 1000+ strong and will be the largest traveling delegation from the USA to participate in any international sporting event.
“We are really excited about the chance to bring over 1,000 athletes to Israel for the 19th Games, which would surpass the previous record of 903 athletes during the 18th Games,” said Bukantz. “We have an extremely talented group of Sports Directors in place: Fred Cohen of Chicago, IL; Ben Fox of Norman, OK; and Harold Friedman of Detroit, MI. We are all hard at work recruiting the best sports chairmen, coaches and athletes to build Team USA.”
The Maccabiah is more than an international sporting competition; it is a celebration of Jewish culture, unity and pride. Israel Connect, Maccabi USA’s unique cultural and educational program, takes place for six days prior to the start of the Games. All Open, Youth and Juniors athletes participate in the program where they have the opportunity to tour historical and religious sites, take part in cultural identity seminars and become B’nai Mitzvah, all while bonding with each other. Maccabi USA uses Sports to build Jewish Pride.
About the organization:
Maccabi USA (MUSA) is a federally-recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, the Pan American Maccabi Games and the Maccabi competitions in Europe and Australia, as well as a sponsor of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America. As the official Maccabi representative in the U.S., Maccabi USA supports Jewish athletic endeavors, enhanced by cultural and educational activities in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora.
MUSA develops, promotes and supports international, national and regional athletic-based activities and facilities. It strives to provide Jewish athletes the world over the opportunity to share their heritage and customs in competitive athletic settings. MUSA supports programs that embody the Maccabi ideals of Jewish Continuity, Zionism and Excellence in Sport.