Maccabiah Case Study # 2

Maccabi Case Study:

Anbar Smandarov, 25

During the 1930s, Anbar's grandfather was arrested by the KGB and sent to the Gulag, while his grandmother escaped with Anbar's mother to Uzbekistan. In time, the local KGB Chief made Anbar's mother his mistress, and that was how Anbar was born. Later on, Anbar's father was himself arrested for sheltering Anbar's grandmother, who then fled with her daughter to Kazan (Russia). This time she had two sons with her – Anbar and his younger brother, Michail. After a period, Anbar's mother passed away, and from that moment on he had to take care of himself and his younger brother.

Years later, in 2004, Anbar became the European Continental Karate Champion. The twists and turns of his life story, and the responsibility on his young shoulders of raising his younger brother on his own, showed Anbar's great resourcefulness, ambition, and self-confidence – characteristics that made him European karate champion.

Besides the European title, Anbar won gold in the 2005 Maccabiah Games in Israel, and also developed skills in other martial arts, like judo. Inspired by the Games and his first experience of Israel, Anbar returned to Russia and with Michail and opened a karate school for Jewish youngsters, teaching not only sport, but also celebrating Jewish tradition and customs. He has 400 pupils. The brothers are the prime leaders of the Maccabi Club in Kazan. Anbar has always been conscious of his Jewishness; that’s why he sent Michail to a Jewish School. They train and educate Maccabi's young generation in the Maccabi spirit, principles, and history.

Anbar and Michail are role models for Jewish youth in their town, inspiring them with stories of Israel and the Maccabiah. They wish to bring their best athletes to Israel for the next Maccabiah and we want to help.

We plan to bring 10 of the most motivated, high-achievers from this club to the 18^th Maccabiah. These athletes are facing financial difficulties- the cost of preparing them educationally and professionally (training, tryouts, seminars and events in Russia) and then to send them to Israel is $4,500 each.

Your financial pledge can make dreams come true!