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By Lisa Chenofsky Singer, JCC
8/27/2009
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Several of our very own local athletes were in Westchester participating in an Olympic style sports competition. During August 16th to 21st, approximately 1,400 Jewish athletes (ages 13 to 16) participated in the Maccabi Games. Delegates from many New Jersey Jewish Community Centers and YM-YWHA’s participated -- Metrowest (JCC of West Orange), Central New Jersey, Bridgewater, Monmouth County, North Jersey (Wayne), Palisades, and Southern NJ Katz JCC.
Competition is just as important as the friendships! "It’s bringing the Jewish community together," said Steve Weisbrot, the JCC Maccabi Games Director. The diverse religious participation includes Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist and unaffiliated.
Delegates from all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Israel, South America, and Europe, experienced much more than athletic competition, they were inspired with the values of community involvement, teamwork, integrity and pride. This week provided a unique combination of sports, cultural and social activities where the athletes swapped pins, shirts, swim caps, and cell phone, e-mail, text and Facebook information
So, what distinguishes the JCC Maccabi Games from other athletic competitions? Rachmanus! Infusing the games with Jewish values makes them a more meaningful experience for our athletes and their families. We want our athletes to strive for excellence yet we also want them to have compassion for their team mates and their opponents.
The first world Maccabiah Games were held in Israel in 1932. This two-week competition takes place every four years and has featured many world-class Jewish athletes including: Mark Spitz (swimming), Mitch Gaylord (gymnastics), Ernie Grunfeld and Danny Schayes (basketball), Brad Gilbert and Dick Savitt (tennis). The inaugural event was held at Madison Square Garden with a parade of athletes, entertainment and the lighting of the torch. There is a special ceremony to honor the 11 Israeli athletes murdered by terrorists at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany. This is done each summer to remember and give honor to our past.
Maccabi Swimming has competition for every level of swimmer. From first time swimmers to USA Zone time swimmers, every athlete has the chance to outperform their previous best times. This year there were approximately 150 swimmers broken down into the following groups: 13-14 Girls, 13-14 Boys, 15-16 Girls, and 15-16 Boys. Not only were there swimmers from the United States, there were also swimmers from visiting International delegations including Israel and Venezuela.
MetroWest brought four swimmers, two girls and two boys, each at a different level in their swimming careers from intermediate competitive swimmer to elite competitive swimmer. As a delegation, we took home 14 medals--8 were Gold. Although not every swimmer left with a medal, they did walk away with a smile, new friends, and lots of great memories.
Photo above: Metrowest Swim team - Jessica Greene, Courtney Stec (Coach), Cailley Silbert, Jonas Singer, and Matthew Peknay
Photo courtesy of Lisa Chenofsky Singer
The Maccabi banner
Photo courtesy of Lisa Chenofsky Singer
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Cailley Silbert earning a gold medal
Photo courtesy of Lisa Chenofsky Singer
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Cailley Silbert swimming
Photo courtesy of Lisa Chenofsky Singer
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Jonas Singer swimming butterfly
Photo courtesy of Lisa Chenofsky Singer
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Jonas Singer swimming
Photo courtesy of Lisa Chenofsky Singer
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