Philadelphia, PA, May 1, 2012 – Rabbi Daniel Greyber of Beth El Synagogue in Durham, NC and a Maccabiah Alumnus has been appointed as Team Rabbi for the USA Team at the 19th World Maccabiah Games in Israel. “We are thrilled to have a Maccabi USA alumnus return as the Team Rabbi,” said Jeff Bukantz, General Chairman, USA 19th Maccabiah Organizing Committee. “It is so exciting to see one of our athletes who has had a life-altering Maccabiah experience come back in this capacity as it will have such a positive impact on the Team!”
Rabbi Greyber was the Captain of the USA Swim Team at the 14th Maccabiah Games in Israel, in 1993, where he won gold and bronze medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke. Originally from Potomac, MD, Rabbi Greyber holds a Masters degree in Speech and Communications from Northwestern University and was ordained in 2002 at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies of American Jewish University where he received the Henry Fisher Award for outstanding achievement in Jewish Studies. Additionally, he served as a Jerusalem Fellow at the Mandel Leadership Institute in Israel. Prior to taking over the pulpit at Beth El Synagogue, Rabbi Greyber served as Executive Director of Camp Ramah in California where he was able to help kids connect to Judaism through art, nature, music and sport.
“I am deeply honored to be given the chance to give back to an organization and Movement that are such an important part of who I am today,” Rabbi Greyber said about his appointment as Team Rabbi for Maccabi USA. “My first-ever trip to Israel was for the 1993 Maccabiah Games when I was the Captain for the USA Swim Team. It was a transformative experience in my life and I can say with confidence that it is a big reason I am a Rabbi today. I am most looking forward to getting to know the athletes and their Jewish stories. My hope is, wherever an athlete is on their Jewish journey, to be able to connect with him/her and help with the next step in bringing Israel and the Jewish People alive.”
Rabbi Greyber considers his job as Team Rabbi to be one of learning, listening and opening doors to Jewish life. He hopes that the athletes will come to Israel with an open mind – Israel is a very different place than you see on the news – and an open heart – you never know how a few weeks in Israel might change a life. Rabbi Greyber will be there for the athletes to celebrate their victories and console them on their defeats, but more than that, to help everyone to see the Games in the context of their own lives, and the unfolding story of Maccabi and the Jewish People.
The 19th World Maccabiah Games will take place in Israel, July 17th – 31st, 2013. Maccabi USA plans to bring the largest-ever traveling delegation to the Games, 1000+ members strong. For more information on the Games and how you can get involved as an athlete or volunteer, please visit our website at 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, 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. Maccabi USA Builds Jewish Pride Through Sports.