Maccabi USA
Overview[edit]
 | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Code | USA |
| Created | 1948 |
| Association | Maccabi World Union |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| President | Jeff Bukantz |
| Executive Director | David Snyder |
| Website | www.maccabiusa.com |
Maccabi USA (MUSA), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, endeavors, through sports, to perpetuate and preserve the American Jewish community by encouraging Jewish pride, strengthening Jewish bonds and by creating a heightened awareness of Israel and Jewish identity. The volunteer organization seeks to enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the United States, Israel and the Diaspora through athletic, cultural and educational programs.Maccabi USA develops, promotes and supports international, national and regional athletic-based activities and facilities. The organization 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.[1]
The organization distinguish themselves by[2]:
- Sponsoring the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games[3].
- Sponsoring the United States Team to the Pan American and European Maccabi Games
- Supporting programs such as the JCC Maccabi Games which introduce American Jewish youth to their heritage by sponsoring sports-related programs and activities.
- Supporting programs that enhance participation of American Jewish youth with their brethren throughout the world.
- Supporting athletic facilities and programs in Israel.
- Being a member of Maccabi World Union and worldwide Maccabi movement.
Maccabi USA is a U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The Organization is one of 38 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, and is rated as a four-star [4]non-profit by Charity Navigator.
Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel is an adjunct member of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organization, and remains one of the 60 territorial representatives of Maccabi World Union, the largest Jewish membership organization in the world.
History[edit]
In 1948, mere weeks after the establishment of the Jewish Homeland, four men - Harry Henshel, Charles Orenstein, Edward Rosenblum and Harold O. Zimman - embarked on a dual mission to help Israel develop as a nation through sports, and to promote fitness and athleticism for Jewish youth. With that goal in mind, the United States Committee Sports for Israel (USCSFI) was formed.[5][6]
The organization quickly realized its goals as Israel was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee and became eligible to compete in the 1952 Olympic Games. From there the organization developed projects that would increase Jewish identity, strengthen Jewish bonds and create a heightened awareness of Israel. USCSFI was named the official United States representative of Maccabi World Union, the official governing body of the World Maccabiah Games and Maccabi activities worldwide.
In 1961, they were declared a "Regional Sports Event" by, and under the auspices and supervision of, the International Olympic Committee.[7][8]
In 1994, USCSFI changed its name to Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel to demonstrate its commitment to the Maccabi ideals. The Maccabi Movement grew to include more than 60 Maccabi Clubs around the globe. Seventy years after its inception, Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel remains dedicated to enriching the lives of Jews through athletic, cultural and educational programs. Over 8,200 Americans have participated in the Maccabiah Games in Israel including almost 100 US Olympians.
USCSFI brought to the young State of Israel renowned athletes and coaches to conduct clinics in an effort to promote the level of sports in the Holy Land. Basketball coaching legend John Wooden, NFL great/Senator Jack Kemp, and Olympic World Record Holders in Track Rafer Johnson and Harrison Dillard were among those who were sent by the organization to Israel.[9]
Through the years, USCSFI has provided support for important institutions in Israel such as the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled (ISCD) in Ramat Gan, Wingate Institute in Netanya, the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the Israel Olympic Committee, to name a few. As part of the Maccabiah experience, Team USA participates in a project of Tzedakah when they bring a gift for a youngster at a facility such as the ISCD followed by a sport demonstration.
As part of the Maccabi World Union menu of opportunities, beyond the Maccabiah Games in Israel, competitions have been held in Australia, Latin America and Europe. These games provide the chance for more athletes to compete and meet while continuing to provide even more positive Jewish Memories.
In 1981, Bob Spivak became President of USCSFI, a position he held for twenty years. In 1985, under his leadership the concept of the Pre-Camp was introduced to promote the educational and cultural aspect of the Maccabiah experience. In 1989, the Pre-Camp was moved from Rutgers University in New Jersey to Israel to take advantage of the “living laboratory of learning” in the Holy Land. This program was so important that the position of USA Team Rabbi was initiated. In addition, during Bob’s tenure, USCSFI joined forces with Maccabi World Union and the JCC Association to organize what has become the JCC Maccabi Games for teens held every year. In 2011, the JCC Maccabi Games were held in Israel with over 1000 Jewish Teens participating.[10][11]
Bob was succeeded by Toni Wortman the organization’s first female President, who held the office for eight years (2002-2009). This was a tumultuous time following 9/11 and a very difficult worldwide economic environment. Yet under Toni’s leadership participation in all the projects grew to new heights.[12] Ron Carner became President of Maccabi USA in 2010 and Maccabi USA has continued to grow. [13]Under his leadership the Pre-Camp became “Israel Connect” a mandatory program for all American Juniors and Open athletes at the Maccabiah and has been expanded to seven days in Israel. During Ron’s tenure, Maccabi USA was recognized as a “Multi-Sports Organization” of the USOC- the US Olympic Committee.[14]
Jeff Bukantz became President of Maccabi USA in December 2017.[15]"Jeff Bukantz was captain of the 2004 and 2008 United States Olympic fencing teams."[16][17]
Governance[edit]
Maccabi USA has a board of over 300 people, with 20 sub committees all focusing on three major projects, European Maccabi Games, Maccabiah Games, and Pan American Maccabi Games. There is also a Junior Board for those under 30 with and Executive Committee of about 30 individuals. Supported by a small staff in Philadelphia, the bulk of each project is organized by our dedicated corps of volunteers.[18][19][20]
Maccabi USA named David Snyder Executive Director in 2018.[21] Snyder succeeded Jed Margolis who served as Executive Director for 16 years. He previously served as Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Southern New Jersey.[22] Prior to that he was Area Director of AIPAC in Philadelphia, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations at Temple University, and National Future Leadership Director of Jewish National Fund.
Notable Board Members and Lay Leaders: Alan Applebaum, Ellen & Simon Atlas, Jeff Bukantz, Ron Carner, Mel Chaskin, Leland Faust, Iris and Igal Hami, Ira Kamens, Mel Miller, Harvey Morgan, Lou Moyerman, Donna Orender, Brian Schiff, Deb Lichtenfeld and Jeff Schulman, Bob Spivak, Sam Sporn, Bill Steerman, Dana and Mark Susson, Toni and Wally Wortman, Debbie and Marc Zumoff,
Sports Offered[edit]
Sports
Archery; Badminton; Baseball; Basketball; Ten Pin Bowling*; Boxing*; Bridge; Beach Volleyball; Chess; Cricket*; Cycling; Dance*; Diving*; Equestrian - Dressage and Show Jumping; Fencing; Field Hockey; Futsal; Golf; Gymnastics; Half Marathon; Ice Hockey; Judo; Karate; Lacrosse; Lawn Bowls*; Rhythmic Gymnastics; Rowing; Rugby; Sailing/Yachting*; Shooting - Clay Pigeon, Rifle and Pistol; Soccer; Softball; Squash; Swimming; Synchronized Swimming*'; Table Tennis; Taekwondo; Tennis; Track and Field; Triathlon; Volleyball; Water Polo; Weightlifting*; Wrestling
Parasports
Basketball; Half Marathon*; Swimming*; Table Tennis*; Tennis*
Volunteer Positions
Accommodations Managers; Certified Athletic Trainers; Coaches; Doctors; Nurses; Rabbis; Security Team; Sport Chairs
*Past Sports Offered
Maccabi USA Olympians[edit]
Gerry Ashworth- Track and Field Athlete at the 1964 Summer Olympics
Albert Axelrod* - Fencer at five Summer Olympics (1952-68).
Clifford Bayer- Fencer at 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics.
David Berger*- Weightlifter at 1969 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.
Isaac Berger- Weightlifter at 1956, 1960, and 1964 Summer Olympics.
Jeff Bukantz- Olympic Referee at 1988 Summer Olympics, Fencing Team Captain at 2004 Summer Olympics, and Fencing Analyst at 2016 Summer Olympics[15]
Daniel Bukantz*- Fencer at 1948,1952,1956, and 1960 Summer Olympics.
Ken Chernow- Member of the Wrestling Team at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Lillian Copeland*- Track and Field (Weight Throwing, Discus, Shot Put, and Javelin) at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
Elliot Denman- Racewalker at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Eli Dershwitz- Fencer at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Anthony Ervin- Swimmer at the 2000, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics.
Ken Flax- Hammer Thrower at the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics.
John Friedberg- Fencer at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Mitch Gaylord- Member of the Men's Gymnastics Team at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Brad Gilbert- Tennis Player at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Lawrence Gluckman- Rower at 1967 Summer Olympics.
Scott Goldblatt- Swimmer at the 2004 Summer Olympic.
Abe Grossfeld- Member of the Men's Gymnastics Team at 1956 and 1960 Summer Olympics.
Ernie Grunfeld- Basketball Player at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Julie Heldman- Tennis Player at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Jane Katz- Member of the Synchronized Swim Team at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Lenny Krayzelburg- Swimmer at the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
Allan Kwartler*- Fencer at the 1952, 1956, and 1960 Summer Olympics.
Tahl Leibovitz- Table Tennis Paralympian at 1996, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Paralympics; USA Table Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee.
Jason Lezak- Swimmer at the 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 Summer Olympics.
David Michanik- Fencer at the 1960, 1964, and 1968 Summer Olympics.
James Melcher- Fencer at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.
Shep Messing- Member of the Men's Soccer Team at the 1972 Summer Olympics; Lead analyst for New York Red Bulls matches.
Lou Moyerman- Coach of the USA Judo Olympics Trials for 2004 Summer Olympics.
Andrea Murez- Israeli-American Swimmer representing Israel at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Semyon Pinkhasov- Coach of the Fencing Team at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Aly Raisman- Member of the Women's Gymnastics Teams at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
Marilyn Ramenofsky- Swimmer at the 1964 Summer Olympics
Jillian Schwartz- Pole Vaulter at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Frank Spellman*- Weightlifter at the 1948 Summer Olympics
Don Spero- Rower at the 1964 Summer Olympics
Mark Spitz- Swimmer at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.
Kerri Strug- Member of the Women's Gymnastics Team at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Zack Test- Member of the Rugby 7's Team at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Soren Thompson- Fencer at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Jonathan Tiomkin- Fencer at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Fred Turoff- Served as an Assistant for the Men's Gymnastics Team at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Garrett Weber-Gale- Swimmer at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Wendy Weinberg Weil- Swimmer at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Henry Wittenberg*- Freestyle Wrestler at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
Joanna Zeiger- Triathlete at the 2000 Summer Olympics
*Deceased
Notable Alumni[edit]
- Jeff Agoos - Basketball
- David Blackburn* - Softball[24]
- David Blatt
- David Blu
- Jonathan Bornstein
- Tal Brody
- Larry Brown
- Angela Buxton
- Lindsey Durlacher*
- Benny FeilhaberBenny Feilhaber[25]
- Bruce Fleisher
- Allen Fox
- Max Fried
- Jarryd Goldberg
- Preston Goldfarb[26]
- Doug Gottlieb
- Mike Hartman[27]
- Art Heyman
- Billy Jaffe
- Julian Krinsky
- Shawn Lipman
- Michael Oren
- Brian Roberts
- Len Roitman
- Dick Savitt
- Danny Schayes
- Dolph Schayes
- Dallen Stanford
- Jon Stewart[28]
- Larry Summers[29]
- Kevin Swiryn[30]
- Stuart Weitzman[31]
- Ethan Zohn[32]
*Deceased
References[edit]
- ↑ "UNITED STATES COMMITTEE SPORTS FOR ISRAEL INC".
- ↑ "Primer on the Games".
- ↑ "Maccabiah Games".
- ↑ "Charity Navigator" (PDF). October 1, 2017.
- ↑ "Harold O. Zimman". Jewish Sports.
- ↑ Siegmn, Joseph (1992). The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. SP Books. p. 206. ISBN 978-1-56171-028-7. Search this book on
- ↑ Lenskyj, Helen (2012). Gender Politics and the Olympic Industry. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9781137291158. Search this book on
- ↑ "HISTORY OF THE MACCABIAH GAMES".
- ↑ "MACCABIAH GAMES; American Team Will Participate".
- ↑ "Host Communities".
- ↑ "JCC Maccabi Games/ArtsFest in Israel in Photos".
- ↑ "TONI WORTMAN IS THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO RECEIVE MACCABI WORLD UNION'S HIGHEST HONOR".
- ↑ "Ron Carner Elected President of Maccabi USA Sports for Israel".
- ↑ "MACCABI USA DESIGNATED AS U.S. OLYMPIC COMMITTEE MULTI-SPORT ORGANIZATION".
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Bukantz, Jeff (2006). Closing the Distance. Acanthus Publishing. ISBN 978-1-933631-30-1. Search this book on
- ↑ Bukantz, Daniel. "Daniel Bukantz".
- ↑ "Jeff Bukantz". NBC Sports Group.
- ↑ "Professional Staff".
- ↑ "Maccabi Bylaws" (PDF).
- ↑ "Executive Commitee".
- ↑ "MACCABI USA ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR".
- ↑ "Saying goodbye as your JCRC director, but always staying involved".
- ↑ "Sport Specific".
- ↑ "David Blackburn".
- ↑ "Benny Feilhaber".
- ↑ "Preston Goldfarb".
- ↑ "Mike Hartman".
- ↑ "Jon Stewart".
- ↑ "Larry Summers and Stuart Weitzman Are Playing Ping-Pong in the Jewish Olympics This Week".
- ↑ "Maccabi USA's Open Men's Rugby team named for Israel 2017".
- ↑ "Larry Summers and Stuart Weitzman Are Playing Ping-Pong in the Jewish Olympics This Week".
- ↑ "Cancer Crusher Ethan Zohn to Race Boston Marathon for Grassroot Soccer".
Maccabi USA[edit]
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