RIVERA BROTHERS WILL TEAR UP THE ICE AT THE WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES
Philadelphia, PA, March 30, 2017 – The Maccabi USA Ice Hockey family is about to get a whole lot bigger as another family of athletes joins Team USA for the 20th World Maccabiah Games, July 4-18 in Israel. Jake, Luke, and Nick Rivera will be part of the Open Ice Hockey Team. During the Opening Ceremony, they will march in as both teammates and brothers.
The Maccabiah Games will be the first time the Rivera brothers have competed as Maccabi USA athletes; it will also be their first time playing on the same team, and going to Israel. They are excited to learn about Israeli culture and visit the historic sites with other Jewish athletes. Hockey is a lifestyle for the brothers as Luke began skating around 4, following Jake around the ice, with Nick joining shortly thereafter. The brothers, Division I and Division III collegiate athletes – Jake played at the State University of New York-Potsdam, Luke plays at the State University of New York-Fredonia, and Nick plays at Minnesota State-Mankato – are excited to put on their red, white, and blue, hockey jersey and represent Team USA.
When asked why competing as a family at the Maccabiah Games is so important the brothers agreed, “We have all been dreaming of putting on a Team USA jersey and representing our country. The ability to play alongside each other is an incredible opportunity that will make for an even more memorable experience. To make it that much more special, we will be able to do it front of our entire family, on their first trip to Israel, a very proud moment for all of us. We are also looking forward to the possibility of winning a Gold Medal for the United States, something that has never been done before. Win or lose, the memories from the Maccabiah Games will be moments we will always cherish.”
Maccabi USA will bring a team of 1,100+ athletes who will be part of the 10,000 Jewish athletes from 80 countries, participating in 43 different sports. Since 1932, over 62,000 athletes have participated in the Maccabiah Games, in a celebration of Jewish Strength and Solidarity. Team USA’s success is not only measured by the medals won, but by the impact that the Maccabiah experience had on their lives as well as the friendships they formed.
Maccabi USA builds Jewish pride through sports, generating the emotional intensity, high ideals, and powerful camaraderie of competition. We connect athletes, volunteers, and supporters with the global Jewish community. Our athletic, educational, and cultural experiences build Jewish identity, perpetuate Jewish continuity worldwide, and strengthen support for the State of Israel.
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 all over the world 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.
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