Philadelphia, PA, September 20 – Rose Weinstein, of King of Prussia, PA and Leon Ojalvo of Miami, FL have selected eight athletes and a head coach to field the USA Open Tennis Team at the Maccabiah Australia International Games (MAIGs) in Sydney, Australia December 26, 2010 – January 2, 2011. Weinstein and Ojalvo are Co-chairs of the USA Open Tennis Team for the MAIGs. The competition will take place at the world-class Olympic Park, were most of the competition took place during the 2000 International Summer Olympics.
Head Coach Alexandra Yudelevich of Houston, TX is an alumnus of the first MAIGs in July, 2006 where she was an athlete and she was the Assistant Coach of the USA Juniors Tennis Team at the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2009. Her Team consists of:
- Max Franklin of Mercer Island, WA who is currently a freshman on the Men’s Tennis Team at Washington University in St. Louis.
- Jason Fruchter of Lawrence, NY an alumnus of the USA Juniors Tennis Team at the 11th Pan American Maccabi Games in Argentina in 2007/2008.
- Erica Kurtzman of Wynnwood, PA who is currently a sophomore at Boston University.
- Jen Newman of Haverford, PA who is currently a freshman at Amherst College is an Alumnus of the USA Juniors Tennis Teams at the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2009 where she won a bronze medal in mixed doubles and the 11th Pan American Maccabi Games in Argentina in 2007/2008.
- Elizabeth Saltzman of Springfield, MO is currently a sophomore on the Women’s Tennis Team at Oberlin College.
- Sarah Weingarten of Ardmore, PA who is a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania and an alumnus of the USA Juniors Tennis Teams at the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2009 where she won a bronze medal in doubles and the 11th Pan American Maccabi Games in Argentina in 2007/2008.
- Seth White of Virginia Beach, VA who is a senior at the Cape Henry Collegiate School and a member of the school’s varsity Tennis Team.
- Adam Zunder of Los Angeles is a graduate of the University of Arizona and currently works in Real Estate Investment.
“I hope this experience will be memorable for all the athletes and that they have an amazing experience, one that they can look reflect on later in their lives as a life- changing experience,” said Coach Yudelevich. “My expectations for the Games and the Team are for everyone to feel connected to their Jewish roots, compete with dignity and class and to hopefully make lasting friendships.”
About the organization:
Maccabi USA (MUSA) has 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 co-founder 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.