Philadelphia, PA, January 6 – Ron Carner, President of Maccabi USA, announced that Sam and Ellen Sporn have donated a million dollars to the organization. The gift will be used to help fund the programs and projects that are part of the Maccabi USA’s mission. The Sporns have been supporters of the organization for over 33 years.
“It is because of the generosity of people like Sam and Ellen that we are able implement programs that build Jewish identity, increase Jewish continuity and strengthen support for the State of Israel,” Carner commented. “We are so grateful to Sam and Ellen, they get what we do and their gift makes it easier to fulfill our mission.”
Sam is an eleven-time Masters and Grand Masters athlete who has participated in seven Maccabiah and four Pan American Maccabi Games, winning multiple medals in the process. He has served as both the Chair and Co-Chair of the USA Masters and Grand Masters Tennis Teams from 1981 through 2013 and saw the growth of the teams double in size. Sam has witnessed firsthand the impact that Maccabi USA programs have had on the athletes and volunteers that participate in them. In 2013, he was awarded the Chairman’s Award of Excellence from the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame for his commitment and support of sports, Jewish culture and the State of Israel.
“It is our pleasure to donate this money to Maccabi USA at this time so we can see the impact of the programs they create,” Sam told the organization. “We love the fact that Maccabi USA uses sports as a unifying language that connects Jewish athletes with each other, their culture and heritage and Israel.”
Sam is a member of the Executive Committee of Maccabi USA’s Board of Directors and has served in multiple leadership roles for the Maccabiah Games over the years. Sam is in training to qualify for the USA Grand Masters Tennis Team participating in the Pan American Maccabi Games in Santiago, Chile in 2015. In addition to his involvement with Maccabi USA, he is a practicing attorney with Schoengold & Sporn, P.C. in New York City, specializing in class action litigation. Ellen has accompanied Sam to Israel and South America to cheer him on at his competitions most recently to Israel for the 19th Maccabiah Games in 2013. She holds a Doctorate of Education and was a Professor with The City University of New York.
To learn more about the projects and programs that Maccabi USA is involved with, please visit the website at maccabiusa.com. To schedule an interview, please contact Sara Feinstein at sfeinstein@maccabiusa.com.
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, and the Pan American and European Maccabi Games, 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. Maccabi USA Builds Jewish Pride Through Sports.
Maccabi USA has been selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) as a Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The nonprofit organization becomes one of 35 MSOs nationwide to be recognized by the USOC for its ability to cultivate a national interest in sport and increase opportunities for participation internationally, nationally and at the grassroots level.