Philadelphia, PA, April 2 – Richard Grodin of Larchmont, NY, was named the General Chairman of the 2015 European Maccabi Games USA Organizing Committee by Ron Carner, President Maccabi USA. A member of the organization’s Executive Committee, Grodin is also an alumnus of the Maccabiah Games, participating in 2009 and 2013. He was a member of the 2013 Maccabiah USA Organizing Committee, serving as the Chairman of Masters Men’s 35+ Basketball.
“I am pleased to have Rich at the helm of our USA Team that will participate in the 2015 European Maccabi Games in Berlin,” said Carner. “Rich is an alum who had such wonderful Maccabi experiences with us that he chose to get back involved so that others can enjoy the Magic of Maccabi. He brings great passion to the job, and is committed to making this an historical, memorable and fun time.”
“I really believe in the Maccabi USA Mission and using Sports as a vehicle to build Jewish pride, identity and strengthen Jewish continuity,” Grodin said. “I have three young children and it’s important for me to have them grow up Jewish and connected to Israel; having an organization like Maccabi USA that uses Sports to connect athletes of all ages with their culture and heritage makes that so much more fun for them.”
The 2015 European Maccabi Games will take place July 27 through August 5 in Berlin, Germany. These Games mark the first time Jewish athletes from the Diaspora will gather in Germany for an international athletic competition since the destruction of the Jewish community by the nazis. The city of Berlin has the largest Jewish population in Germany and 2015 is the 50th anniversary of both Maccabi Germany and of diplomatic relations between Berlin and Israel.
“These Games will be very significant because it will showcase the resilience and strength of the Jewish People, they will also be a lot of fun and provide an opportunity to immerse the Team in Jewish culture,” Grodin said. “The fact that thousands of Jewish athletes will sing Hatikvah during the Opening Ceremony in the same stadium that Jews were initially prohibited from participating in the 1936 Berlin Olympics* is really emotional and demonstrates the strength of the Jewish People.”
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.
*Many Nations threatened to not participate in the Games because of Hitler’s ban on Jews and Blacks, he bowed to the pressure and agreed to allow both groups to compete in the Games.