Maccabi USA Makes an Impact on its Volunteers

Leon Lifschutz first became involved with Maccabi USA in 2013 as an Accommodations Manager at the 19^th World Maccabiah Games working primarily with the Open teams. Prior to 2013, he had been to Israel a handful of times but recalls the Maccabiah Games as being a completely different experience. The Maccabiah Games allowed Leon to connect two pieces of his background – sports and Judaism; he was truly touched to be interacting with so many people who shared a similar background to his.

Leon’s involvement with Maccabi USA continued as a member of the USA delegation to Chile in 2015 for the Pan American Maccabi Games and most recently as an Accommodations Manager in charge of the Juniors teams at the 20^th World Maccabiah Games in 2017. As a result of his passion and dedication to Maccabi USA, Leon will once again join the Maccabi USA family as USA Team Manager for the International Maccabi Youth Games which will take place July 22-August 1, 2018 in Israel. He is excited to be the USA Team Manager so he can help athletes strengthen and for some, discover their Jewish and athletic endeavors.

The inaugural International Maccabi Youth Games is a competition of male and female athletes (born between 2002-2004) who will compete in basketball, futsal, soccer, and volleyball. The Games will take place in and around Haifa. Team USA will compete alongside their Jewish teen counterparts from around the world, including Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Israel, South Africa, and more. Additionally, they will participate in touring, and Israeli cultural and educational experiences based in Jerusalem. “The combination of athletics and culture are one of a kind,” said Leon. “The Games will help to enrich athletes through competition and the relationships they develop. The spirit of the Games cannot be put into words, you will have to come experience it to know for yourself.”

Leon is excited to witness the various sporting competitions and is looking forward to the lifelong friendships and bonds that will form between teammates and competitors. He hopes to provide structure for Team USA members to be their best and get the most out of the sporting events, prepare the management team, and support the delegation in problem-solving so nothing gets in the way of Maccabi USA accomplishing its mission of “Building Jewish Pride Through Sports.”

Do you know of any male or female basketball, futsal, soccer, or volleyball athletes born in 2002, 2003, or 2004? For more information and how to apply for the International Maccabi Youth Games, click here and be sure to read our FAQ’s!

Previously:

Medals and Memories from the 20th Maccabiah Games

The Magic of Maccabi with USA Team Rabbi Daniel Greyber

Maccabi World Union Internship: Jessica Goodkin

20th Maccabiah USA Mission: Passport to Israel

Maccabi USA: A Transformational Experience with Dan Kurtz

Harry Swimmer – A CNN Hero

Keep Calm and Smash Hard: Maccabi USA Badminton with Nicole Frevold

Dan Kurtz: Maccabi USA’s Alumni Relations Director

Emily Seelenfreund: A Maccabiah Trailblazer

Ellie Greenberg: In Her Own Words

From Maccabi Canada to Maccabi USA: Ice Hockey with Greg Gardner