Last night, dreams came true for 237 members of Team Maccabi USA team as they marched into the Opening Ceremonies for the 15
th
European Maccabi Games in Budapest.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the athletes, as they walked on air, brimming with pride, as they marched in representing their country and Team Maccabi USA.
The European Maccabi Games will include 2300 athletes from 41 countries competing in 21 sports. Maccabi USA will have 27 teams competing in 14 sports. The age of our athletes ranges from 14 to 86.
While Team Maccabi USA is here to win medals, the bigger goal is to join our brothers and sisters from the Diaspora in a show of Jewish solidarity and strength. The friendships and memories made in Budapest will last a lifetime.
We all say thanks to General Chair Debbie Adams, Vice-Chairs Stacey Klimchuk and Stuart Greenberg, Co-Team Managers Fanchon Auman and Matthew Halpern, Overall Soccer Chair Don Kent, Mission Chair Dr. Alex Sternberg, Medical Chair Marc Backal, Security Chair Joe Gehr, and the entire European Games Organizing Committee. Special thanks to our dedicated professional staff members Dan Kurtz, Steve Graber, Shane Carr, Sami Pulley, Koty Marine, Mackenzie Mager, Julie Churylo, Limor and Daniel Gurevich and our new CEO Marshall Einhorn.
Their passion for our mission has enabled Maccabi USA to again Build Jewish Pride Through Sports. Now that the Opening Ceremonies are in the rear-view mirror, let’s go for the Gold Team Maccabi USA!
-Jeff Bukantz, Maccabi USA President
