PHILADELPHIA Ron Carner, of Manhattan, NY, has accepted a leadership position as General Chairman for the USA 18th Maccabiah Organizing Committee. He will put together a team of national sports directors, chairs, committees and coaches dedicated to building a large team of talented, Jewish athletes to compete at the 18th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, July, 2009.
The Maccabiah Games, commonly referred to as the Jewish Olympics, are held in Israel every 4 years. The Games are the worlds third largest international sports competition and have grown to over 7500 athletes from 54 countries since their inception in 1932. the Games have attracted some of the worlds great athletes including Mark Spitz, Lenny Krayzelburg and hundreds of Olympians from around the world. The competitions include over 35 different sports in 4 age categories. Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel (MUSA) is the sponsor of the U.S. Team which sent a delegation of over 800 to Israel in 2005.
Carners passion for the MUSA Mission is driven by his passion for building Jewish identity, solidarity and pride. ?Now more than ever, we need to get involved and committed to building a proud Jewish Identity among our young people in the U.S., Israel and the Diaspora,? stated Carner, ?I am thrilled to serve this organization and help strengthen the infrastructure that provides athletes with the opportunity to build theses lifelong bonds with other Jewish athletes from around the world. What better opportunity will they have to deepen their pride in their Jewish heritage and to preserve and perpetuate this pride for themselves and their offspring. As we have said in the past, the Maccabiah is not just about sports but about providing for these young people a Jewish awareness of who they are, where they come from and where they are going.?
Since becoming involved with MUSA in 1985 Ron Carner has served in multiple leadership positions including his current role as First Vice President, along with Sports chairman and Organizing Committee positions for previous Maccabiah and Pan Am Maccabi Games. Additionally, since 2001, he has been one of three International Vice-Presidents for Maccabi World Union, the international Movement spanning six continents and more than 50 countries with over 400,000 members.
I am delighted that Ron Carner has agreed to serve as the Chairman of the USA 18th Maccabiah Organizing Committee,? stated Toni Wortman, President of MUSA. ?He is the ideal choice and brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience to this position. Ron?s passion for the ideals of Maccabi and his vigorous support for the State of Israel are unparalleled,? continued Ms. Wortman. ?His strong commitment to the American Jewish Community and to young Jewish athletes around the world has been an inspiration to all those who are privileged to work with him. He is a man of talent, wisdom and integrity and we are incredibly fortunate to have a man of Ron Carner?s caliber serving as the Chairman of our most important project.?
When not working as a volunteer, Ron is a senior partner in the law firm of Sarisohn, Sarisohn, Carner, et al on Long Island. He sits on the board of several companies in which he has investments. He is an alumnus of Brandeis University, Class of 1961 and Loyola School of Law, Class of 1966. He resides in Manhattan with his wife Talia, a noted novelist, and together they have four children and six grandchildren.