Philadelphia, PA, December 7 – Donald Linsky, Chairman and Head Coach for Open Women’s Softball at the 19th World Maccabiah Games, announced the appointment of the USA Open Women’s Softball Team competing at the 19th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 2013. The team will be coached by Linsky who will be assisted by Ronald Katz, who coached the USA Team to a gold medal win at the 2009 World Maccabiah Games.
“My expectations are to create ambassadors and future delegates for Israel as well as to win the gold medal. This experience will give these athletes the opportunity to create new, lifelong connections and experiences,” said Coach Linsky.
Team members include: Alison Adelman of San Diego, CA, a graduate of the University of Connecticut; Emily Bliss of Northridge, CA, a graduate of California State University; Lena Brottman of Palatine, IL, a sophomore at Emory University; Samantha Findling of Norcross, GA a freshman at Georgetown University; Idalia Friedson of Trumbull, CT, a sophomore at Amherst College; Elysse Gorney of Orlando, FL, a junior at University of Pennsylvania; Madeline Kaplan of Santa Monica, CA, a high school senior; Rachel Knable of Evesham, NJ, a senior at Temple University; Megan Light of Atlanta, GA, a junior at Emory University; Jamie Samuel of Malibu, CA, a senior at Kenyon College; Alexandra Sarkowsky of Encino, CA, a sophomore at Wesleyan University; Carly Thea of Merrick, NY, a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh; Madeline Tropp-Bluestone of Providence, RI, a graduate of Brown University; Sydney Turchin of Princeton Junction, NJ, a sophomore at University of Pennsylvania; and Jennifer Zucker of Glenview, IL, a freshman at Beloit University.
Both Alison Adelman and Madeline Tropp-Bluestone competed as members of the USA gold medal Open Women’s Softball Team at the 2009 World Maccabiah Games and the 2007 Pan Am Maccabi Games in Argentina.
“These young women are top level athletes, and in Linsky and Katz, they have an outstanding coaching staff that will guide them through the competition and cultural experience of the Maccabiah Games,” said Fred Cohen, Maccabi USA Sports Director. “The camaraderie and bonding they will experience will provide memories that will last a lifetime.”
The team will work hard to win another USA gold medal and exhibit teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the event. This cultural experience will help them create a bond as a group and build a strong relationship to their Jewish culture and the State of Israel.
For more information about the Maccabiah Games or to schedule an interview with one of our athletes, please contact Sara Feinstein at 215.561.6900 x119.
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.