18th Maccabiah Maccabi Israel Games

18th Israel Maccabiah To Visit Sderot, Witness Results Of Gaza Terrorism

2009-07-19T13:49:00.000-07:00

18th Israel Maccabiah To Visit Sderot, Witness Results Of Gaza Terrorism

By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency
http://www.israelnewsagency.com/maccabiahsportsjewishisraelzionismsderotidfoperationcastleadashdodashkelongazaislamicterrorismchildrenrockets48190709.html

Kfar Maccabi - Ramat Gan, Israel ---- July 19, 2009 ...... Organizers of the 18th Jewish Maccabiah Games in Israel have coordinated a solidarity fact finding trip to Sderot, Israel for Maccabiah delegation heads to witness first hand the devastating results of Islamic terror rockets from Gaza which have murdered and wounded innocent Jewish civilians.

Sderot has a total population of 19,300. The city has been an ongoing target of Qassam (Kassam) rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. In March 2008, the mayor of Sderot said the population had declined by 10 -15 percent as families left the city in desperation (aid organizations say the figure is closer to 25%). Many of the families that remain cannot afford to move out or are unable to sell their homes.

Sderot, located less than a mile from Gaza, was and remains the target of Islamic terror rocket attacks from Gaza that have been fired by Hamas and Islamic Jihad in an effort to make the lives of Israel civilians unbearable. These terror attacks have murdered 13 residents, wounded hundreds, caused millions of dollars in damage, and disrupted daily life as well as the local economy.

Nearly all residents of Sderot, Israel have been traumatized by the frequent sound of air-raid sirens and explosions of incoming missiles. All local schools have been fortified. From mid-June 2007 to mid-February 2008, 771 rockets and 857 mortar bombs were fired at Sderot, Israel and the western Negev, an average of three or four each a day.

Studies performed in recent years show that the continued rocket fire and the large number of shock victims have led to post traumatic stress disorder among many of Sderot's residents.

The stress and anxiety caused by years of living under Islamic terrorism have left their mark on the children of Sderot. A study presented at a conference in Jerusalem last week revealed that 45% of the town's children under the age of six suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTS), which is expressed through developmental regression, sleeping disorders or aggression.

Although Israel left Gaza in a unilateral peace move in September 2005, Hamas and Islamic Jihad continued to attack Israel repeating the words of Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that all of Israel was to be wiped off the map.

The Israel Defense Forces responded to the Islamic terror rockets which fell on the Israel cities of Sderot, Ashdod and Ashkelon with IDF Operation Cast Lead. During Operation Cast Lead Hamas continued to use civilian and UN facilities to launch Kassam and Katusha rockets into Israel, turning the Palestinian population of Gaza into "human shields".

Sderot Mayor David Bouskila and IDF Major General Doron Almog, former IDF Head of the Southern Command and IDF paratrooper who took part in the historic Entebbe airport hostage rescue mission in 1976, will guide the 18th Maccabiah participants through bombed out parts of Sderot and visit the Aleh Negev-Nahalat Eran Rehabilitation Village for Disabled Children and Young Adults.

The World Maccabiah Games are a quadrennial sports, cutlural and educational event that takes place in Israel. The 18th World Maccabiah Games, taking place July 12 – 23, 2009 are the world’s third largest international athletic competition.

As the world’s third largest sports event after the Olympics, the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel plays host to 3,000 junior Maccabiah athletes, aged 15 -18; 5,000 open athletes, 2,000 masters and Paralympics.
In addition to the visitors, Israel will itself be fielding a team of more than 2,000 athletes.

Sports for which competitors will be going for Gold include: artistic gymnastics, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, bridge, cricket, chess, fencing, golf, gymnastics, handball, half-marathon, field hockey, judo, karate, netball, lawn bowls, rowing, rugby, squash, soccer, softball, swimming, table-tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, track and field, ten-pin bowling, volleyball, water polo, wrestling and windsurfing.

The 18th Maccabiah Games is utilizing powerful Web 2.0 new media social networking to connect in real time with millions in Israel and worldwide. There are Twitter news channels: israelmaccabiah and maccabiah and two official Facebook groups.

In addition to Maccabiah.com, a new state of the art Web 2.0 Maccabiah Web site has been launched.

With very little money, limited resources and a highly dedicated staff, Maccabiah World Union organizers Eyal Tiberger, Amir Peled, Jeanne Futeran, Igal Carmi, Itamar Herman, Rabbi Carlos Tapiero, Avinoam Caspi-Greenfield, Nirit Harel French and Tmira Shafran have provided Israel and the world's Jewish community with an 18th Maccabiah that shall be remembered and cherished for many years to come.

Maccabi is active in Jewish communities throughout the world.
More than 400,000 Jews in 400 institutions in 60 countries over five continents are part of the Maccabi family.

The above news content was edited and SEO optimized in London and Israel for the Internet by the Leyden Communications Internet Marketing PR SEO Group and London SEO Pr - Israel, London, New York.

18th Israel Maccabiah Opening Ceremony Celebrates Life, Welcomes Jewish Athletes Home

2009-07-14T06:28:00.000-07:00

18th Israel Maccabiah Opening Ceremony Celebrates Life, Welcomes Jewish Athletes Home

By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem, Israel ---- July 14, 2009 ...... There is no greater event that unites the world Jewish community than the Maccabiah Games.

Yes, in times of war, Jews in the Diaspora provide both financial and physical aid. They donate money to Israel for emergency causes which pay for meals for the impoverished, cultural centers and even bullet proof vests for many of our soldiers and police.

But perhaps for the Jews of the US, the UK, France, Brazil, Canada and Argentina the greatest gift of all that they can provide is their mere presence in Israel.

As one who made Aliya 22 years ago, I can tell you that it is a lonely, difficult but highly rewarding experience.

One out three children in Israel live in poverty. Terrorism and war can occur at any moment.
The difficulty in adjusting to Israel culture and finding employment that can pay for one's rent, electricity and car insurance is beyond stressful. It is these stress factors that send the majority of Olim back to the States or the UK where salaries are 2-5 times what they are in Israel.

That the Jewish Agency has to bribe Jews with 3,500 dollars to come and live in Israel says it all.

The problem is not bringing Jews to Israel. The problem is keeping them here. And even here the Israel government is trying to do its best to provide tax breaks and other initiatives to stop the brain drain.

But at the end of the day - Israel is our country.

No matter how green the trees may be in London and New York, regardless of the top entertainment found on Broadway or the East End, and transcending having the luxury of disposal income, Israel is our home. We are family here. And to stand in Ramat Gan stadium and witness the largest gathering of the Jewish people in one place can only bring a smile and a tear to one's face. It is this which keeps us Olim in Israel.

Perhaps the greatest challenge anyone faced in coming to the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel was finding parking for the opening ceremony. I squeezed my car into a red and white tow away zone, hoping for the best, while my children in another car had to go home for lack of parking.

As one walked into Ramat Gan stadium, you felt as if you were entering the home of family.
Once past the intense security and finally finding your small plastic seat, you open the white plastic bag to find an Israel flag, small, yellow flashlight, a 18th Maccabiah Opening Ceremony Program booklet and even coupons to save 20 percent when flying El-Al Israel Airlines.

We wait for the 18 Maccabiah Games Opening Ceremony to begin. Relived that their is a slight, cool breeze coming into the vast stadium to offset some of the oppressive heat.

Down below us are 200 cyclists with lights flashing from their bikes waiting to perform tricks and create dazzling formations.

Then a large black car surrounded with several red and blue police motorcycle lights enters the Maccabiah stadium.
It is Israel President Shimon Peres, one of the last leaders in this nation that actually helped to create the state.

"The Maccabiah is a holiday for the State of Israel," said Peres. "Contrary to war, athletic victory for one is not an athletic defeat of another because athletics is a war without victims. It is a wonderful draft for peace. It is good that athletes stay forever young."

A huge flag of Israel is then brought into the stadium by the Maccabi Youth Movement. Each uniformed teenager smiling as they march into the stadium carrying their own Israel flag.

Then comes the moment that many have been waiting for - for over four years. The Maccabiah Sports delegations start to enter the stadium. Those seated in the stadium rise and wave thousands of Israeli flags. As the Jewish athletes from the US, Russia, Chile, India, South Africa, Australia and Canada march in we wave to one another.

The Jewish family unites.

The majority of the Jewish Maccabi Sports delegations were led by heads of the countries' Maccabi unions, with perhaps the most famous was former Manchester United and England football star Sir Bobby Charlton, who walked in front of the 516 British athletes.

The long and vibrant procession ended with the Israel team making its entrance. The huge crowd stood, cheering "Am Israel Chai" - Israel lives!

Once the 7,300 Jewish athletes have found their place inside the stadium, an honor guard then carries in the large Maccabiah Banner Flag. Yizkor, the prayer for the dead is recited by Joshua Small, 19, a tenpin bowler from Australia who lost his father in the Maccabiah bridge disaster almost a decade ago. The Maccabiah Oath was then given to the athletes by American Israeli former basketball legend Tal Brody.

The mayor of Ramat Gan, Zvi Bar, president of the World Maccabi Union Jeanne Futeran and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the Jewish athletes.

"You represent 65 countries but more than anything you represent one special people - the people of Israel," said Netanyahu. He urged the athletes to make Aliya in both Hebrew and English.

"I thank you for coming, I thank you for participating, but I ask you to do one more thing," Netanyahu said to the athletes. "I ask that you make aliyah, not just for the Maccabiah. Come and be one of us, every day of the year."

The Maccabi Torch was then seen by all on the large screens as it made its way to the stadium where it had been lit early in the day from Maccabiah, the graves of Jewish warriors who defeated foreign rulers and won independence in the 2nd century B.C.

The last Jewish athlete to be given the honor of running with the torch and lighting the 18th Maccabiah flame was US Olympic gold medal swimmer Jason Lezak. As he set the torch to portal which would create a mammoth flame, fireworks shot into the sky.

The Jewish crowd of thousands then stood to sing Hatikva - the Israel national anthem. But before doing so, the organizers of the 18th Maccabiah Games asked everyone to pray for Israel's missing soldiers, including IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

Shimon Peres was then asked to officially open the 18th Maccabiah Games and in a strong and proud voice for a 86-year-old man, Peres told the world that the 18th Maccabiah Games had begun.

The cost for an 18th Maccabiah Games aka Jewish Olympics Opening Ceremony ticket averaged around 200 US dollars. More than twice the price than what Madonna is asking for to perform in Tel Aviv. A cost which goes well beyond what the average Israeli can afford. Yet the Ramat Gan stadium was packed with over 30,000 people.
But for those who could not be there to witness this piece of Jewish history the 18th Maccabiah opening ceremony was televised live on Israel TV Channel 1 and streamed live online by JLTV - Jewish Life Television.

The opening ceremony was the largest and most spectacular ever put on by the Maccabiah and World Maccabi Union in the 77-year history of the Jewish Games. Some 3,500 international athletes and 1,500 accompanying relatives from 60 countries are staying in 1,700 hotel rooms for 14 nights.

“It’s exciting to be here getting to know Jews from other countries," said Maxim Poljakov, 23, a member of the Finnish indoor soccer (futsal) team. "It’s a much stronger feeling of our Jewish identity being here than we have in our everyday life in Finland.”

Daran Bern, 22, an indoor soccer player for the English Maccabiah team, in his second trip after joining a Birthright Israel group grew up in a home with a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother just outside London that was largely disconnected from the local Jewish community.

“I love learning,” he said, smiling as he discusses Jewish culture and heritage with his teammates. “The Maccabiah is a fantastic way of getting people to do what they love to do, sport, together with the religious aspect that someone like me knows little about," Bern said. "There is always something in you that wants to know more.”

Bradley Williams, a 20-year-old marathoner from the US Maccabiah Team, was pleased to meet other serious Jewish runners. He says it's hard to gather a minyan at his Santa Fe synagogue, let alone find other Jews who run marathons.

“The Jewish people now seem so much more diverse to me and it makes me feel like I’m part of a people that has so much to offer. Judaism now feels much more interesting and much more alive.”

The World Maccabiah Games are a quadrennial event that takes place in Israel. The 18th World Maccabiah Games, scheduled for July 12 – 23, 2009 are the world’s third largest international athletic competition.

The 18th Maccabiah Games is utilizing powerful Web 2.0 new media social networking to connect in real time with millions in Israel and worldwide. There are Twitter news channels: israelmaccabiah and maccabiah and two official Facebook groups.

In addition to Maccabiah.com, a new state of the art Web 2.0 Maccabiah Web site has been launched.

With very little money, limited resources and a highly dedicated staff, Maccabiah World Union organizers Eyal Tiberger, Amir Peled, Jeanne Futeran, Igal Carmi, Itamar Herman, Avinoam Caspi-Greenfield, Nirit Harel French and Tmira Shafran provided Israel and the world's Jewish community with an 18th Maccabiah Opening Ceremony that we shall remember and cherish for many years to come.

The above news content was edited and SEO optimized in London and Israel for the Internet by the Leyden Communications Internet Marketing PR SEO Group and London SEO Pr - Israel, London, New York.

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Volunteers Create The 18th Israel Maccabiah

2009-07-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

Volunteers Create The 18th Israel Maccabiah

By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency
http://www.israelnewsagency.com/maccabiahisraelvolunteersjewishsportszionismcultureeventsolympicsvolunteering48071109.html

Jerusalem, Israel ---- July 11, 2009 ...... Beyond the various Maccabi and Maccabiah air conditioned executive offices in Israel, New York, London, Paris, Moscow, Rome and South Africa, transcending those of us who are working under contract from the Kfar Maccabi Headquarters in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan, is a large and powerful army.

It is an elite and highly respected group of Jewish volunteers who hail from both Israel and dozens of other countries.

Sara, the director of the 18th Maccabiah volunteer unit, a very warm, kind spoken woman from Tel Aviv, states that the 18th Maccabiah has over 450 volunteers from Israel, with ten percent coming from abroad.

"We decided to custom make the right jobs for the right volunteers," says Sara. "We have 12 professional translators, 24 writers and photographers, those who enjoy wrapping and packaging gifts, 60 volunteers of all ages helping in the sporting events, welcoming the delegations as they arrive at Ben-Gurion airport with flags, signs, posters. At the 18th Maccabiah Fun Beach Day we had 50 volunteers on the beaches of Israel giving presents from the Maccabiah. We have many who have volunteered for the MOKED emergency operations. These are hard working people who have left their day jobs to give a few shifts."

"From Argentina we had 18-year-olds who have come to Israel in a religious program for 6 months taking part in something which is difficult to articulate. They were told that they were needed to be at the Ramat Gan Maccabiah stadium during Shabbat to be a part of the ceremony. Rather than giving up on their volunteer efforts, these students walked from dawn for hours from Ramat Efal to Ramat Gan," said Sara. "We have volunteers from Uruguay, Chile, Norway and Brazil to Russia, the US, the UK, Germany and Switzerland helping in logistics and several other functions. Many volunteering just to have a ticket to the games, to be a part of the greatest Jewish family event."

"Volunteerism is an effort which comes from the heart," says Sara. "For many of us who live in Israel, it is difficult to volunteer as the financial conditions in Israel do not allow for disposal income and many of us literally count each and every sheckel. But there are still those Israelis who make the ultimate sacrifice of doing without a night out or a movie to give a day or a week of their time to the IDF, hospitals and to the Maccabiah."

When asked if these Israelis were seen as "friars" - or in English "suckers" - being that there is little money in Israel - how can one volunteer? Sara responds: "I don't think it is right, many think that they can't be a volunteer because of their financial situation, but they still look at volunteers with respect and perhaps even jealously."

"We are fortunate to have many volunteers. They all receive a shirt, a hat, a ticket to the events and food. It is not important what their age is or where they come from. They just want to be a part of the greatest Jewish gathering on Earth. Just want to be a part of the Maccabiah. To help, to give, to make people smile in bringing the Jewish nation together."

Brett Weiss, 25, from Maryland is a volunteer working in the Maccabiah sports department, helping to schedule the events. Brett has been working as a volunteer for two months, working 10 hours a day.

"I have paid for most of my expenses. I came for the experience, left a family brokerage business and to do something different. I came to help out. I love it. Everyone is really warm. Doing a mitzvah for myself and Jewish nation."

Ester Schneder who traveled from Sweden, paid for her own expenses - travel and hotel and works in one of the many administrative offices. Ester, who describes her volunteer activity as "wonderful" will be out of the office tomorrow and at the golf course in Caseara to help in organizing that event.

Kim Maniovich, 21, from Tel Aviv - grew up in Israel and left the country when she was 12. This volunteer, whose family has been in the Maccabiah for over 30 years and grandfather was President of Maccabi World Union states that people are impressed in how fast we get things done.

"We work long hours, but it's inspiring to see strong Jewish athletes, men and women who are fit both mentality and physically - it gives us something to be proud of - not just brains, but muscle as well."

Kim, who goes to Boston University and works as an intern in the 18th Maccabiah media and public relations office, says that the cultural differences between the Americans and Israelis are not that wide, while working with the English who are more conservative and process oriented compared to those in Israel who are relationship oriented.

Sascha Sudikoff, 20, who grew up in Los Angeles and goes to school in Edinburgh says that it's "long hours". But also finds time to party on the grass with the athletes.

"I have been working as a volunteer since June. No money. But the experience is great. My parents have been helping me."

Sascha adds: "I think its great. The Maccabiah brings Jews together from all over the world. I love it. To help make it happen. Helping Israel and it is an excellent opportunity for Israel - and for the Jewish nation. People need to come to Israel and not view Israel just by the media."

Gaby Cohen, 16, came from the US. This is her second day working as a volunteer at the 18th Maccabiah and was also assigned to the media and press office.

"I never felt that I belonged to the Jewish community more so until I came here," says Gaby. "Its important to support the Jewish community by participating. And this is my first job. I am very lucky to be here in Israel."

Shuli Speilman, from Tel Aviv, usually works as a financial broker. Today she wears the hat of deputy head of the 18th Maccabiah volunteering unit. When asked if she felt that Israeli volunteers were viewed as "friars" she responded with a smile.

"Ma pe tom" she says in Hebrew. "What are you saying - we do it for others and we do it for ourselves. Nothing could be more rewarding and we have the respect of everyone we meet. In the US, France and the UK where volunteering is seen as something usual, in Israel it is viewed as being even more important as the sacrifice is that much greater."

The World Maccabiah Games are a quadrennial event that takes place in Israel. The 18th World Maccabiah Games, scheduled for July 12 – 23, 2009 will be the world’s third largest international athletic competition. Over 7,000 of the world’s best Jewish athletes from six continents and over 60 countries will compete at the Games.

This year’s Maccabiah kicks off with an opening ceremony at the Ramat Gan Stadium on Monday night, July 13. Three time Gold medal Olympian swimmer Jason Lezak of the US team, will light the flame.

As the world’s third largest sports event after the Olympics, the Maccabiah Games plays host to 3,000 junior Maccabiah athletes, aged 15 -18; 5,000 open athletes, 2,000 masters and Paralympics.
In addition to the visitors, Israel will itself be fielding a team of more than 2,000 athletes.

The 18th Maccabiah Games will be utilizing powerful Web 2.0 new media social networking to connect in real time with millions in Israel and worldwide. There are Twitter channels: israelmaccabiah and maccabiah and two official Facebook groups.

In addition to Maccabiah.com, a new state of the art Web 2.0 Maccabiah Web site was launched yesterday.

Shuli says that the 18th Maccabiah is saturated with volunteers and cannot take any more for this Maccabiah.

The above news content was edited and SEO optimized in London and Israel for the Internet by the Leyden Communications Internet Marketing PR SEO Group and London SEO Pr - Israel, London, New York.

18th Israel Jewish Maccabiah Games on YouTube

2009-07-10T23:45:00.000-07:00

18th Maccabiah Jewish Israel Olympics Push Web 2.0, SEO, New Media Social Networking

2009-07-10T23:15:00.001-07:00

18th Maccabiah Jewish Israel Olympics Push Web 2.0, SEO, New Media Social Networking

By Herb Brandon
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem, Israel ---- July 10, 2009 ...... The 18th Jewish Maccabiah Games in Israel are among the first leading global sports and cultural organizations to unleash the full power of new media, SEO -search engine optimization social networking.

"The most powerful means to reach millions of people today is through Web 2.0," says Joel Leyden, president of the Leyden Communications Internet Marketing Group who serves as an digital PR and international media advisor to the 18th Maccabiah Games.

"New media social networking applications such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Blogger, Skype and YouTube now rule the Internet. Whether you are 18 or 80, if you are not on Facebook or checking out the Twitter feed - you and or your organization does not exist. With a click of a mouse, one can reach millions in seconds and we have seen this most recently in Iran where the use of Twitter is helping to bring about democracy in that nation. Print newspapers and broadcast TV are rapidly declining as Net surfers interact with one another for both personal and commercial gain."

Leyden continues: "For the 18th Maccabiah Games, the use of social networking is critical. There are three elements which ensure the survival of Israel - the Israel security services, the Israel Defense Forces and Diaspora Jews who invest in Israel either financially or through their presence in coming to Israel. New media, SEO and social networking enables these people to support the Maccabiah Games, Israel and the very existence of the Jewish nation. Whether it is to announce when an event will take place, who won that event or just to meet friends for coffee or beer, an SEO search engine optimized Web site, real time communications through Twitter and Facebook make it happen."

The 18th Maccabiah Organizing Committee today announced that in addition to embracing SEO and new media social networking tools for public relations and fund raising, that an updated 18th Maccabiah Website has just been launched at www.Maccabi.org.

This Maccabi World Union Website is providing background information on the MWU, providing links to real time cultural, educational and sports events and news at the Maccabiah Games through Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, the Israel News Agency and Google News. Michael Broukhim, a respected Website developer from California who produced the new 18th Maccabiah Website and Joel Leyden have joined forces at the Kfar Maccabi Headquarters in Ramat Gan.

At least two official Twitter feeds are now in place: maccabiah and israelmaccabiah.

"One must give credit to where credit is due," says Leyden." "Eyal Tiberger, the Director General of the 18th Maccabiah realized the value of implementing Web 2.0 social networking for the Games. Amir Peled, the Honorary Treasurer, Jeanne Futeran, the President of Maccabi World Union, and Nirit Harel French, the Executive Director of the Maccabi World Union in North America and Yaron Michaeli, the domestic public relations professional for the Jewish 18th Maccabiah Games have been more than cooperative in helping us Internet marketing and SEO editorial, design and programming geeks get this new media off the ground.

This year’s 18th Maccabiah kicks off with an opening ceremony at the Ramat Gan Stadium on Monday night, July 13. Three time Gold medal Olympian swimmer Jason Lezak of the US team, will light the flame. The Maccabiah Twitter feeds and Facebook groups expect to see unparalleled participant activity overshadowing any event that has taken place in Israel. JLTV will be broadcasting live sports news and features and producing exciting videos for YouTube which will be embedded in Web 2.0 social networking news releases and news stories from the Maccabiah.

As the world’s third largest sports event after the Olympics, the Maccabiah Games plays host to 3000 junior Maccabiah athletes, aged 15 -18; 5,000 open athletes, 2,000 masters and Paralympics.
In addition to the visitors, Israel will itself be fielding a team of more than 2,000 athletes.

From the US, Canada, France, Argentina and Brazil to Finland, Holland, Russia, the UK and Spain, more than 56 nations will be represented at the 18th Maccabiah Jewish Games in Israel.

"For the first time, all Jews in all countries will be able to participate in the Maccabiah games," says Leyden. "They will be able to watch and comment in real time on each and every sports event taking place in Israel. But more than that the 18th Maccabiah will not only be bringing together 7,000 Jewish athletes from around the world, but rather connecting millions of Jews to one another in a majestic event which illustrates the essence of culture, democracy and Zionism in Israel and throughout the Jewish nation."

The above news content was edited and SEO optimized in London and Israel for the Internet by the Leyden Communications Internet Marketing PR SEO Group and London SEO Pr - Israel, London, New York.

18th Maccabiah Jewish Israel Olympics Push Web 2.0, SEO, New Media Social Networking

2009-07-10T23:15:00.000-07:00

18th Maccabiah Jewish Israel Olympics Push Web 2.0, SEO, New Media Social Networking

By Herb Brandon
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem, Israel ---- July 10, 2009 ...... The 18th Jewish Maccabiah Games in Israel are among the first leading sports organizations to unleash the full power of new media, SEO -search engine optimization social networking.

At least two official Twitter feeds are now in place: maccabiah and israelmaccabiah.

From the US, Canada, France, Argentina and Brazil to Finland, Holland, Russia, the UK and Spain, more than 56 nations will be represented at the 18th Maccabiah Jewish Games in Israel.

The above news content was edited and SEO optimized in London and Israel for the Internet by the Leyden Communications Internet Marketing PR SEO Group and London SEO Pr - Israel, London, New York.

Illinois Quartet To Lead TEAM USA At 18th Maccabiah Israel Games

2009-07-10T00:48:00.000-07:00

Illinois Quartet To Lead TEAM USA At 18th Maccabiah Israel Games

By Sara Feinstein
Israel News Agency

Ramat Gan, Israel ---- July 10, 2009 ...... Ron Carner, General Chairman for the 18th Maccabiah USA Organizing Committee has announced the names of the Flag and Banner Bearers for the Opening Ceremony on Monday, July, 13.

In front of the USA Maccabiah Team, the US Ambassador to Israel James B. Cunningham and Maccabi World Union leaders, it was announced that four Jewish athletes, all from Illinois will lead the US Delegation into Ramat Gan Stadium at the world’s third largest international athletic event.

An alumnus of University of Illinois, Lindsey Durlacher of Buffalo Grove, IL, and currently a resident of Colorado Springs, CO is a member of the 18th Maccabiah Open Judo Team. He will carry the American flag and lead the entire USA Delegation into Ramat Gan stadium on Monday evening.

Ranking is number two at 55 kg on the USA Team; Durlacher is a seven-time Maccabiah Champion in wrestling, finished second in the U.S. Nationals in 2007, 2008 and 2009 amongst multiple placements. The 18th Maccabiah will be the first time that Durlacher participates as a member of the Open Judo Team.

Joining Durlacher, leading in the US Delegation will be David Sender of Arlington Heights, IL; Aaron Cohen of Buffalo Grove, IL; and Gillian Schwartz, originally of Evanston, Il.

David Sender a Gymnast, and member of the U.S. World Championship Team in 2006, is a recent graduate of Stanford University. Amongst his many accomplishments, Sender recorded a career-best All-Around score of 55.55 at a tri-meet against Penn State and Iowa during his Junior year.

Aaron Cohen, also of Buffalo Grove, a Judo athlete, is a member of the 2009, 2005 and 2003 World Championship Teams. Judo has always been a part of his life. Cohen’s Father Irwin competed at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and his uncle Steve [Cohen] was a member of the 1988 Olympic Team. Having served as an alternate to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, Cohen moved up to 90 kg in 2009, which earned him a berth on the 2009 World Championship Team and he also took the Gold at the USA Judo Senior National Championship.

Gillian Schwartz, of Evanston, IL, one of the USA’s elite pole vaulters, will join Sender and Cohen as they carry the USA Banner into the stadium for the 18th Maccabiah Games. An all-American at Duke University excelling in high jump and hurdles, she set the outdoor pole vault record of 14-2 as well as the indoor record of 13-5 ¼. Schwartz is a two-time Olympian athlete, competing in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008. She is currently competing at an international Track & Field competition in Madrid, but will join Team USA to march into the Opening Ceremony Monday evening and compete in the Maccabiah.

Maccabi USA / Sports for Israel (MUSA) has 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 co-founder 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. They strive 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.

“Now more than ever, we need to get involved and commit to building a proud Jewish Identity among our young people in the U.S., Israel and the Diaspora,” stated Ron Carner, General Chairman, USA Maccabiah Team.

“The Maccabiah (Games) is not just about sports, but about providing for these young people a Jewish awareness of who they are, where they come from and where they are going.”

The World Maccabiah Games are a quadrennial event that takes place in Israel. The 18th World Maccabiah Games, scheduled for July 12 – 23, 2009 will be the world’s third largest international athletic competition. Over 7000 of the world’s best Jewish athletes from six continents and over 60 countries will compete at the Games.

This year’s Maccabiah kicks off with an opening ceremony at the Ramat Gan Stadium on Monday night, July 13. Three time Gold medal Olympian swimmer Jason Lezak of the US team, will light the flame.

The 18th Maccabiah Games will be utilizing powerful Web 2.0 new media social networking to connect in real time with millions in Israel and worldwide. There are Twitter channels: wmu, maccabi, israelmaccabiah and #maccabiah and two official Facebook groups.

A state of the art Web 2.0 Maccabiah Web site is expected to be launched within the next 48 hours.

The above news content was edited and SEO optimized in London and Israel for the Internet by the Leyden Communications Internet Marketing PR SEO Group and London SEO Pr - Israel, London, New York.

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18th Israel Maccabiah Remembers Munich Terror Victims

2009-07-09T16:44:00.001-07:00

18th Israel Maccabiah Remembers Munich Terror Victims

By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency

Tel Aviv, Israel ---- July 9, 2009 ...... Over 1,000 Jewish athletes, families, coaches, staff and administrators of the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel took part in a memorial ceremony today to remember the 11 Israel Olympians who were murdered at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

The "Munich Massacre" took place during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, when members of the Israel Olympic team were taken hostage and murdered by Black September, an Islamic terror organization with ties to Yasser Arafat’s Fatah.

The terrorist group had murdered eleven Israel athletes and coaches and one West German police officer. Israel responded to the massacre with Operation Spring of Youth and Operation Wrath of God, a series of airstrikes and assassinations of those terrorists which planned the killings.

Those murdered were Moshe Weinberg (wrestling coach), Yossef Romano (weightlifter), Ze'ev Friedman (weightlifter), David Berger (weightlifter), Yakov Springer (weightlifting judge), Eliezer Halfin (wrestler), Yossef Gutfreund (wrestling referee), Kehat Shorr (shooting coach), Mark Slavin (wrestler), Andre Spitzer (fencing coach), Amitzur Shapira (track coach) and Anton Fliegerbauer a German police officer.

Jeanne Futeran, President of the Maccabi World Union addressed those attending the memorial.

"Families of Munich athletes, Ambassador Kindermann, Ephraim Zinger, Stuart Lustigman, Gideon Osterer and Maccabim from Germany, chaverim!

After 9/11 in New York in 2001, more people seemed to understand what really happened at Munich in 1972, and why. Today, many more people know what happened at Munich, but most have no true understanding of why it happened.

Since the last time I was here, during the 17th Maccabiah in 2005, they made a movie called 'Munich'. It is not really about the crime against humanity at the Olympic village in 1972. It is dramatic fiction about why the crime happened and about what happened and why, after the crime.

Movies about real events can be a very good thing, because more people know that something happened. But fiction movies can also do bad things, and spread wrong impressions of the truth. The falseness of fiction becomes belief, and belief becomes truth.

The true reality of Munich is terribly hard to imagine. Perhaps we do not want to imagine the horrible reality that befell Jewish athletes in Munich. From the outside, we know what happened, but we can never know what happened inside, inside the hearts and minds and souls of our athletes we feel we need to know, but that is what we cannot, or do not want to imagine.

As to the hearts and minds and souls of the killers - we have no need to know what happened inside them. They came in evil. They came to murder. They came to kill, and even to be killed themselves. They, and the people who sent them, deserved to die at Munich, and after Munich. They, and the people who sent them, made themselves pure evil. They deliberately forfeited their own humanity. They do not deserve the grace of remembrance. Only the horror of their action must be remembered.

Those who came to Munich in the innocence of peace all deserved to live, the 11 who died and the 5 who survived, and the policeman who was murdered, they all deserved to live. They deserve the grace of our remembrance.

We must cherish their memory in our hearts.
As long as we remember them, evil wins no victory.
It is our duty, and that is the truth, those are the only true lessons of Munich."

During the Maccabiah Munich Memorial which took place in Tel Aviv, dozens of candles were lit and flowers were placed at the memorial site on Weizman Street.

The Maccabiah Munich memorial ended with the Yiskor, reciting the prayer for the dead and the singing of the Israel national anthem - Hatikva.

The Maccabiah is the world´s largest and best Jewish athletic competition in the tradition and values of Maccabi, emphasizing the centrality of the State of Israel in the life of the Jewish People.

The principal mission of the Maccabiah is to facilitate a worldwide gathering of young Jewish athletes in Israel, staging the highest possible levels of sports competitions, and strengthening their connection to the State of Israel and the Jewish People.

Known as the Jewish Olympics, the 18th Maccabiah kicks off in just under a week as Israel plays host to more than 10,000 athletes and 20,000 tourists and supporters from 60 countries.

As the world’s third largest sports event after the Olympics, the Maccabiah Games plays host to 3000 junior Maccabiah athletes, aged 15 -18; 5,000 open athletes, 2,000 masters and Paralympics. In addition to the visitors, Israel will itself be fielding a team of more than 2.000 athletes.

The 18th Maccabiah Games will be utilizing powerful Web 2.0 social networking to connect in real time with millions in Israel and worldwide. There are Twitter channels: wmu, maccabi, israelmaccabiah and #maccabiah and two official Facebook groups.

A state of the art Web 2.0 Maccabiah Web site is expected to be launched within the next 48 hours.

The above news content was edited and SEO optimized in London and Israel for the Internet by the Leyden Communications Internet Marketing PR SEO Group and London SEO Pr - Israel, London, New York.

18th Israel Maccabiah - Remembering Munich Terrorism

2009-07-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

Address by Jeanne Futeran, President of the Maccabi World Union

Remembering Munich

Families of Munich athletes, Ambassador Kindermann, Ephraim Zinger, Stuart Lustigman, Gideon Osterer and Maccabim from Germany, chaverim!

After 9/11 in New York in 2001, more people seemed to understand what really happened at Munich in 1972, and why. Today, many more people know what happened at Munich, but most have no true understanding of why it happened.

Since the last time I was here, during the 17th Maccabiah in 2005, they made a movie called 'Munich'. it is not really about the crime against humanity at the Olympic village in 1972. It is dramatic fiction about why the crime happened and about what happened and why, after the crime.

Movies about real events can be a very good thing, because more people know that something happened. But fiction movies can also do bad things, and spread wrong impressions of the truth. the falseness of fiction becomes belief, and belief becomes truth.

The true reality of Munich is terribly hard to imagine. Perhaps we do not want to imagine the horrible reality that befell Jewish athletes in Munich. from the outside, we know what happened, but we can never know what happened inside -- inside the hearts and minds and souls of our athletes we feel we need to know, but that is what we cannot -- or do not want -- to imagine.

As to the hearts and minds and souls of the killers -- we have no need to know what happened inside them. They came in evil. they came to murder. they came to kill, and even to be killed themselves. they, and the people who sent them, deserved to die at Munich, and after Munich. they, and the people who sent them, made themselves pure evil. They deliberately forfeited their own humanity. They do not deserve the grace of remembrance. Only the horror of their action must be remembered.

Those who came to Munich in the innocence of peace all deserved to live -- the 11 who died and the 5 who survived, and the policeman who was murdered -- they all deserved to live. They deserve the grace of our remembrance.

We must cherish their memory in our hearts.
As long as we remember them, evil wins no victory.
It is our duty, and that is the truth, those are the only true lessons of Munich.

JLTV to Broadcast Israel 18th Maccabiah Games

2009-07-09T06:17:00.000-07:00

JLTV to Broadcast Israel's 18th Maccabiah Games

Jerusalem ---- Jul. 09 - Jewish Life Television (JLTV) plans to broadcast the 18th Maccabiah Games from July 12-23 as part of its special sports programming. This marks the first broadcast of the games to audiences outside of Israel.

The channel's coverage of the games will be anchored by Olympic gold medalist Mitch Gaylord, the first American gymnast to score a perfect 10. The Maccabiah Games are known as the Jewish Olympics, and are held every four years in Israel.

This year, more than 8,000 athletes took part from over 50 countries, making it the world's third largest sporting event.

On July 12 JLTV will become the world's first 24-hour Jewish-themed television channel when it expands globally to over 100 million homes on July 12th, adding Hot Bird satellite coverage across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East to its American distribution.

Hundreds of American Athletes Arrive in Israel Ahead of 18th Maccabiah Games

2009-07-09T05:48:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of American Athletes Arrive in Israel Ahead of 18th Maccabiah Games

Mayor Nir Barkat Welcomes Delegation to Jerusalem City Hall

JERUSALEM ....... As over 750 Maccabi USA competitors arrived overthe weekend to participate in the 18th Maccabiah Games which begin July 13,Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat welcomed a delegation of athletes and teamexecutives. The Mayor saluted the athletes' decision to come to Israel forthe competition, urging them to "take advantage of their time in Israel andhelp us build the atmosphere that makes this place so special." An additional 150 American participants are expected to arrive prior to thebeginning of the games.

Attending the welcoming briefing was Jason Lezak, the Olympic Gold-medal winning and world record holding swimmer who has chosen to participate inthe Maccabiah instead of competing in his sport's top annual event, theWorld Championships of Swimming.

While Lezak said that the decision to forego the World Championships certainly wasn't an easy one, he welcomed the opportunity to compete alongside other Jewish athletes and remarked that "there is truly no eventlike the Maccabiah Games." "I've always wanted the chance to participate inthe Maccabiah and I've now reached a point in my career where that'spossible," he said.

Fielding 88 different teams to compete in 28 different sports, the MaccabiUSA team will be the second largest, behind only the host country of Israel. Ron Carner, General Chairman of Maccabi USA who was also welcomed by theMayor and earlier in the day spent a private session with Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli cabinet, said that the Maccabiah offers an experience like no other.

"The Games present the chance for athletes to demonstrate their pride inJudaism and the Jewish State through the prism of sports, yet the Maccabiahis far more than just a sporting competition - it's a remarkable display ofJewish unity," he said. "

In addition to the intensive competition that defines the Games, theathletes will spend considerable amounts of time touring the country andgaining an appreciation of Israel's history and culture. The first two daysafter arrival were spent in Jerusalem, where participants from the US team visited various points of interest. Those sites, including the Old City and Yad Vashem, provided an experience that Lezak described for reporters as"very touching."

Carner said that the dual program, combining athleticism with events thatfocus on Judaism and Israel, are part of what make the Maccabiah stand outfrom any other major sporting event in which these participants might becompeting.

"Spending this time in Israel and appreciating what this countryis all about provides our athletes with something that cannot be felt anywhere else on earth," he said. "We know they'll return home not only having been blessed with an unforgettable time exhibiting their talent atthe highest levels of competition, but also prouder Jews and lovers of the Jewish State."

18th Israel Maccabiah - Jason Lezak

2009-07-09T05:20:00.000-07:00

Triple Olympic gold medalist Jason Lezak will skip the upcoming World Swimming Championships and instead compete in Israel’s Maccabiah Games
in tribute to his Jewish heritage. Photo: Israel News Agency

18th Israel Maccabiah to Promote Clean Coast Message

2009-07-08T23:28:00.000-07:00

N E W S

Israel Maccabiah to Promote Clean Coast Message

18^th Maccabiah to Promote Clean Coast Message

18th Israel Maccabiah featuring the theme of Clean Coast

New cooperation between the Maccabiah and the Ministry of Environmental Protection

The world's largest Jewish sports competition, opening in Israel on July 12, 2009, will feature, for the first time, an environmental theme during popular events which will take place on the country's coasts. Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan has stated that thousands of Jewish youth from around the world should find an exciting and challenging common denominator in protecting the environment during the course of the Maccabiah events.

Alongside the sports competitions, in which thousands of athletes from around the world will take part, mass sporting events, dubbed popular Maccabiahs (or PopMacc), will be open to the public for the first time with the goal of bringing Israel's citizens closer to the events of the 18th Maccabiah. The slogan "Going for a Clean Coast" will accompany the popular competitions which will take place on five beaches on Friday July 10, 2009 and will include a range of events and activities to which the public is invited, free of charge.

Competitions, performances and activities with an environmental theme which will take place during the course of the Maccabiah will include the following:

Film clip competition on the theme of "Going for a Clean Coast" - this competition, initiated by the Maccabi World Union and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, aims to promote awareness of marine and coastal protection in Israel and to increase community involvement. The first three winners will be presented, inter alia, on the Maccabiah website.
Popular Maccabiah events featuring the Clean Coast theme: Within the framework of the 18^th Maccabiah, popular sporting events will be open to the general public simultaneously on several of Israel's most attractive beaches, from the Nahariya coast in the north to the Ashkelon coast in the south. In recognition of the importance of the subject, the Maccabiah has decided to increase awareness of environmental protection, in general, and beach cleanliness, in particular. Events targeted at the general public will include beach competitions (volleyball, beach soccer, frisbee and paddle ball), aerobic exercise guided by professional trainers and accompanied by music, and a wide range of fun activities for the whole family.
The beach event will take place on the coasts of Nahariya, Netanya, Herzliya, Ashdod and Ashkelon on July 10, 2009 while a mass cycling event, expected to bring together the largest number of participants for an Israeli event of this kind ever, will take place in Tel Aviv on July 17, 2009.

More Links:

	Maccabiah website: Clean Beaches IsraelPr.com - Digital Pr for the Maccabiah
	Popular Maccabiah events
	Clean Coast Project

18th Maccabiah to be Held in July - 4 days to go!

2009-07-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

Israel MFA Israel beyond politics

18th Maccabiah to be held in July 2009

18th Maccabiah to be held in July
24 Jun 2009

Opening ceremony of the 17th Maccabiah Games, 2005 (Photo: Itamar Greenberg)

Some 5,300 athletes from abroad and 2,000 more from Israel expected to participate in the games, held every four years in Israel.

Every four years Israel hosts the Maccabiah Games, which since 1932 has brought together thousands of Jewish athletes from all over the world. It is one of only seven worldwide competitions recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Participants compete in events including soccer, basketball, table tennis, and netball and attend an impressive opening ceremony at the National Stadium in Ramat Gan. Many top Jewish athletes have made their names at the Maccabiah, including American swimmers Mark Spitz, who went on to win an unprecedented seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympics, and Lenny Krayzelburg, who swam at the 2004 Athens games.

The 18th Maccabiah Games, the largest sporting event in the history of the State of Israel, will take place 13-23 July 2009, with the participation of 5,300 Jewish athletes from 64 countries and 2,000 athletes from Israel. The colorful, updated opening ceremony, aimed at a young 18-30 audience, will take place on 13 July in Ramat Gan Stadium and the closing ceremony will take place in Latrun on 23 July.

Live broadcasts will available on the Maccabiah website and on JLTV.

Igal Carmi, Chairman of Maccabi World Union, says that for the overseas participants, this is a first of all a sporting event. "They take this very seriously and they very much want to win. The most important thing about the Maccabiah games is the competitiveness." Carmi also noted the importance of an event in which participants identify so strongly with Israel: "For many of the athletes, this will be the first Jewish experience in their lives."

For the first time ever, four central mass popular sporting events will be open free of charge to the general public: beach events will be held 10 July in Nahariya, Netanya, Herzliya, Ashdod and Ashkelon, with free activities such as ball games on the beach, aerobic exercises guided by professional trainers, a demonstration with ultra-light planes, a yacht and sailing exhibition and other varied, fun activities for the whole family.

Two mass events will take place on 17 July: a cycling event in Tel-Aviv, with thousands of Maccabiah participants and others expected to take part (bicycles will be available to rent) and the Tiberias Triathlon around the Sea of Galilee, open to professionals and amateurs. A half-marathon will also take place on 21 July in Netanya, with 2.5 and 10km races open to the general public by pre-registration.

Famous names from the world of sport coming to Israel to participate in the 18th Maccabiah Games include American Jewish swimmer Jason Lezak, who won seven medals in three Olympic Games (the swimming events will be held 19-22 July at the Wingate Institute); Argentine football referee Horacio Elizondo, who was the referee for the Final of the World cup tournament in Germany between Italy and France, will serve as the referee at the football tournament; Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton who will be the special guest of the British football team and chess Grand Master Boris Gelfand.

As a tribute to pole vaulter Alex Averbuch, for whom this Maccabiah will be his last official competition in Israel, Yevgeny Lukyanenko, silver medal winner at the Beijing Olympics, has agreed to participate in the Track & Field events.

The Maccabiah events will take place just days before a separate wrestling championship in memory of the 11 athletes murdered at the Munich Olympics, and this has attracted several very highly ranked wrestlers, who will also participate in the Maccabiah.

JLTV prepares for live Maccabiah coverage

The Maccabiah Games coverage begins Sunday, July 12 on the American TV network JLTV with a historic LIVE broadcast. For the first time, the Games will be televised outside of Israel to 100 million households across America, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Over 30 million of the homes are located in Moslem countries, including Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.

Opening ceremonies will be held on Monday, July 13 and coverage of the Maccabiah Games will continue through July 24. Between the end of July and the end of September, JLTV will continue to run retrospective coverage of the 18th Maccabiah Games.

Maccabiah Sponsors Public Events - Beaches Bicycles

2009-07-08T16:36:00.000-07:00

Bringing the Maccabiah to the masses
By Daniel Ben-Tal

Several special, mass-participation events are intended to bring together Israelis and international athletes

Sports, they say, are more about participating than winning. This has never been more true than at the Maccabiah Games and now you too can be part of the largest sporting event in Israel's history: The 18th edition of the 'Jewish Olympics' includes several mass-participation events, dubbed The Popular Maccabiah, and is designed to bring Israelis closer to the international athletes.

There will be two free public events: A national beach happening on five Mediterranean beaches tomorrow, and a colorful mass bicycle ride through Tel Aviv on Friday, July 17.
Advertisement

That day, there will be an open competition at the Maccabiah triathlon around the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). On July 21, there will be a half-marathon (21 kilometers) in Netanya, open to the public via pre-registration. The event will have 10-kilometer and 2.5-kilometer heats as well.

"This is the first time we've held such mass-participation events, which will bring the general public closer to the Games," says Maccabiah spokesman Yaron Michaeli.

"We felt the need to make the Israeli public more involved in the Maccabiah, to connect them with overseas participants. Until now, Israelis didn't participate beyond watching the events - this way they become active participants. In particular, the half-marathon, triathlon and bicycle events will draw the country's leading athletes in those spheres."

This unmediated meeting between Maccabiah athletes from abroad and Israelis promises to bring them closer.

"The athletes will come to meet the crowd and tell their stories," says the Games' project coordinator, Tal Sofer. "In the past we've felt the general public doesn't 'feel' the Maccabiah, and the event passes them by. The Popular Maccabiah is designed to bring Israelis closer to the Games."

The cycling event in Tel Aviv will be the largest of its kind in Israel, with 7,000 cyclists expected. Participants leave the Ramat Gan National Stadium parking lot (at the west wing of the stadium) at 7 A.M., head through the Yarkon park until the coast, then go south until the Dolphinarium, and return to the stadium by 10 A.M.

Participants can choose from three courses: 5 kilometers, 10 kilometers and 25 kilometers.

Registration is via the Maccabiah Web site, www.maccabiah.com. Participation is NIS 50 for the general public, NIS 35 for students with a valid student ID, and NIS 25 for pensioners (60+) and the physically challenged. Organized groups (more than 20 participants) pay NIS 35 per person.

Participants can also rent a bicycle and helmet at the starting line for NIS 80, or buy a new bicycle for NIS 600, money the Maccabiah will donate to help children of Sderot and the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip.

The wheels turn

Israel has gone through a bicycling boom in recent years, and Tel Aviv now boasts 100 kilometers of designated bike lanes.

"The feedback so far has been amazing. Along with many families - some of three generations - and Youth Maccabiah competitors, we expect several dozen teams representing work places, sports clubs, the Israel Police, the Israel Defense Forces, the physically challenged and pensioners," says Sofer, noting that the Pensioner Affairs Ministry is helping to prepare senior citizens for the event. "The police team will probably be the largest," he says.

Commander Uzy Sommer, head of the Israel Police's Safety and Health branch, is organizing the police delegation.

"We've informed the entire force - more than 20,000 police officers - via the police's internal communication system," says Sommer. "In particular, we're contacting every police officer who rides a bicycle. The feedback has been very encouraging: Every district command is sending me a list of officers who want to participate. I expect you'll see at least 300 policemen and women riding together. It will be a homogenous team wearing the same uniform. They should be quite distinctive."

Tel Aviv District commander Ilan Franco gave Sommer this responsibility.

"The police views the Maccabiah as a national event, and willingly adopted the project. We're participating because we salute and welcome the overseas athletes," says Sommer.

The police delegation will ride under the banner "Safety is always your responsibility."

"Every one of our bicycles will be thoroughly inspected before the event - that means checking the air pressure, tires, wheels, spokes, gears, brakes and chains, as well as [the bikers] wearing an approved helmet and applying sunscreen. And of course, every participant must carry enough water," Sommer says.
By Daniel Ben-Tal

Several special, mass-participation events are intended to bring together Israelis and international athletes

Sports, they say, are more about participating than winning. This has never been more true than at the Maccabiah Games and now you too can be part of the largest sporting event in Israel's history: The 18th edition of the 'Jewish Olympics' includes several mass-participation events, dubbed The Popular Maccabiah, and is designed to bring Israelis closer to the international athletes.

There will be two free public events: A national beach happening on five Mediterranean beaches tomorrow, and a colorful mass bicycle ride through Tel Aviv on Friday, July 17.

That day, there will be an open competition at the Maccabiah triathlon around the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). On July 21, there will be a half-marathon (21 kilometers) in Netanya, open to the public via pre-registration. The event will have 10-kilometer and 2.5-kilometer heats as well.

"This is the first time we've held such mass-participation events, which will bring the general public closer to the Games," says Maccabiah spokesman Yaron Michaeli.

"We felt the need to make the Israeli public more involved in the Maccabiah, to connect them with overseas participants. Until now, Israelis didn't participate beyond watching the events - this way they become active participants. In particular, the half-marathon, triathlon and bicycle events will draw the country's leading athletes in those spheres."

This unmediated meeting between Maccabiah athletes from abroad and Israelis promises to bring them closer.

"The athletes will come to meet the crowd and tell their stories," says the Games' project coordinator, Tal Sofer. "In the past we've felt the general public doesn't 'feel' the Maccabiah, and the event passes them by. The Popular Maccabiah is designed to bring Israelis closer to the Games."

The cycling event in Tel Aviv will be the largest of its kind in Israel, with 7,000 cyclists expected. Participants leave the Ramat Gan National Stadium parking lot (at the west wing of the stadium) at 7 A.M., head through the Yarkon park until the coast, then go south until the Dolphinarium, and return to the stadium by 10 A.M.

Participants can choose from three courses: 5 kilometers, 10 kilometers and 25 kilometers.

Registration is via the Maccabiah Web site, www.maccabiah.com. Participation is NIS 50 for the general public, NIS 35 for students with a valid student ID, and NIS 25 for pensioners (60+) and the physically challenged. Organized groups (more than 20 participants) pay NIS 35 per person.

Participants can also rent a bicycle and helmet at the starting line for NIS 80, or buy a new bicycle for NIS 600, money the Maccabiah will donate to help children of Sderot and the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip.

The wheels turn

Israel has gone through a bicycling boom in recent years, and Tel Aviv now boasts 100 kilometers of designated bike lanes.

"The feedback so far has been amazing. Along with many families - some of three generations - and Youth Maccabiah competitors, we expect several dozen teams representing work places, sports clubs, the Israel Police, the Israel Defense Forces, the physically challenged and pensioners," says Sofer, noting that the Pensioner Affairs Ministry is helping to prepare senior citizens for the event. "The police team will probably be the largest," he says.

Commander Uzy Sommer, head of the Israel Police's Safety and Health branch, is organizing the police delegation.

"We've informed the entire force - more than 20,000 police officers - via the police's internal communication system," says Sommer. "In particular, we're contacting every police officer who rides a bicycle. The feedback has been very encouraging: Every district command is sending me a list of officers who want to participate. I expect you'll see at least 300 policemen and women riding together. It will be a homogenous team wearing the same uniform. They should be quite distinctive."

Tel Aviv District commander Ilan Franco gave Sommer this responsibility.

"The police views the Maccabiah as a national event, and willingly adopted the project. We're participating because we salute and welcome the overseas athletes," says Sommer.

The police delegation will ride under the banner "Safety is always your responsibility."

"Every one of our bicycles will be thoroughly inspected before the event - that means checking the air pressure, tires, wheels, spokes, gears, brakes and chains, as well as [the bikers] wearing an approved helmet and applying sunscreen. And of course, every participant must carry enough water," Sommer says.

18th Maccabiah Israel Games - World's 3rd Largest Sports Event

2009-07-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

18th Maccabiah Israel Games - World's 3rd Largest Sports Event

By Larry Butchins
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem, Israel ---- July 8, 2009 ...... Known as the Jewish Olympics, the 18th Maccabiah kicks off in just under a week as Israel plays host to more than 10,000 athletes and 20,000 tourists and supporters from 60 countries.

As the world’s third largest sports event after the Olympics, the Maccabiah Games plays host to 3000 junior Maccabiah athletes, aged 15 -18; 5,000 open athletes, 2,000 masters and Paralympics. In addition to the visitors, Israel will itself be fielding a team of more than 2,000 athletes.

This “Dream Team” of the Diaspora-Israel partnership, the Maccabiah, held every four years, injects more than $100,000,000 into Israel's economy on an investment of $23,000,000 derived largely from private Israel and Diaspora donors, commercial sponsors, the Government of Israel and municipal authorities.

The Maccabiah Games will accommodate athletes in 40 hotels, see the serving of more than 450,000 kosher meals, the consumption of 1,500,000 quarts of mineral water, and 200,000 “meals-to-go” and contestant will be moved around the country in 250 shuttle buses every day.

The Mission of the 18th Maccabiah in Israel has been summed up as follows: to celebrate Worldwide Jewish Fellowship, Pride, Strength and Solidarity in a massed and exciting International-level Sports Festival Event in Israel, showcasing the Value of Sports to the Jewish People. There is no other event or organization in Israel which achieves anything comparable:

According to Nirit Harel French, Executive Director, North America, Maccabi World Union, “The Maccabiah brings more Jews into significant personal contact with our identity, culture, history, heritage and traditions than any other single event.

“It maintains Israel as an International Venue, showcasing Israel as a land of freedom, culture, sport and democracy, giving the lie to the malevolent political ‘Ban-and-Boycott Israel’ campaigns.”

A state of the art Web 2.0 Maccabiah Web site is expected to be launched within the next 48 hours.

The above news content was edited and SEO optimized in London and Israel for the Internet by the Leyden Communications Internet Marketing PR SEO Group and London SEO Pr - Israel, London, New York.

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Maccabiah Case Study # 2

2009-07-08T01:10:00.000-07:00

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!

Maccabiah Case Study

2009-07-08T01:06:00.000-07:00

Maccabi Case Study:

Alexander Iskin

Coming home

I am 18 years old and a grammar school student in Goslar, Germany.

After emigrating from Moscow, Russia, with my parents, my sister Anna (then 6) and me (then 2) we ended up living in a small town called Goslar.

Especially my parents had to struggle hard to make a living and to cope with the initial isolation. After leaving family, friends and jobs behind, they had to face numerous difficulties, like learning the language and finding new jobs in order to make a living.

Even if I was a child, my childhood and youth was stamped with these difficulties and also with the fact of being different. Of course I found friends at school and through table tennis (which I started playing at the age of 5), but as we were the only Jewish family in our home town I never had the chance to find out more about my roots. Now I understand that playing table tennis was one of the most important decisions of my life. It enabled me to join Maccabi Germany, and to meet fabulous people of the same origin.

Since I joined Maccabi, it has become an important part of my life. It enabled me to get to know wonderful Jewish people and to share something really important with them - sports.

The Maccabiah 2005 was an amazing experience. I will never forget these moments when I saw Jews from England, France, Argentina, even China entering the stadium. The whole Maccabiah with its fabulous sportive and social events felt like a roller coaster through happiness. It connected me to people with a similar destiny and made me feel like coming home!

I often have the feeling that I am not enjoying my life at its fullest but as soon as I meet my friends from Maccabi - I feel that I do and that's great!

Alexander Iskin

Your financial contributions can make dreams come true!

Facts and Figures - 18th Maccabiah Games

2009-07-08T00:50:00.000-07:00

18^th Maccabiah Games
Israel, July 8 -23 2009

World's Largest Jewish Event - Israel's Biggest Tourism Event

10,000 Jewish and Israeli Athletes from 60+ Countries compete

20,000 tourists from Diaspora visit Israel for the Games and Maccabiah Cultural Events

Mission of the 18^th Maccabiah

Celebrating Worldwide Jewish Fellowship,
Pride, Strength and Solidarity in a massed and exciting
International-Quality Sports Festival Event in Israel,
Showcasing the Value of Sports to the Jewish People.

Unique Value of the 18^th Maccabiah

No other Event or Organization achieves anything comparable:
Brings more Jews into Significant Personal Contact with our Identity, Culture, History, Heritage and Traditions
3000 Junior Maccabiah Athletes, Girls and Boys aged 15-18.
5000 Open Athletes, 2000 Masters and Paralympic Women & Men.
80-90% of Diaspora athletes will be first-time visitors to Israel, likewise a similar proportion of thousands of Maccabiah Games tourists.
Only around 1 in 9 Diaspora Jews have visited Israel, seen Jerusalem, the Western Wall, Yad Vashem, Masada or Galilee…..

Dream Team of the Diaspora - Israel Partnership Injects

+$100m into Israel's Economy -- on an investment of +$23m

Private Israeli and Diaspora Donors, Commercial Sponsors,

the Government of Israel and Municipal Authorities.

Athletes accommodated in 40 Hotels, more than 100k nights;

450k kosher meals, 1.5m quarts of mineral water, 200k meals-to-go;

250 shuttle buses per day; 500 tour buses;

Tourists treble those figures.

Projected Average Cost of 1 Maccabiah Athlete: $4,500 including Flight Costs

Prime-time Televised Opening and Closing Ceremonies and Cultural Events, Athletes Welcome Evening, Israel Philharmonic Park Concert, many others

Maintains Israel as an International Venue

Staging the World's 3^rd Largest Sports Event (after the Olympics,

the Maccabiah rivals the world university games for the # 2 spot)

slamdunks and discredits malevolent political "Ban-and-Boycott Israel" brigades

unfriendly states, international and regional sports bodies and teams.

Maccabiah Games Represent Zionism, Israel, Aliya

2009-07-08T00:17:00.000-07:00

Maccabiah Games Represent Zionism, Israel, Aliya

By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency

Ramat Gan , Israel ---- July 7, 2009 ...... It was a sizzling hot summer's day in Israel as thousands of Jewish athletes arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport from around the globe for the 18th Maccabiah Jewish Olympic Games. But inside the Maccabiah headquarters in Kfar Maccabi in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan, all was cool and controlled with an abundance of laughs and smiles.

"We are all family," said Maccabi World Union President Jeanne Futeran. "Sure, we have many differences, languages and dozens of challenges with thousands of athletes and their staff arriving.
But we find creative and effective solutions to each and every challenge with a friendly smile. We all come from different cultures and countries, but our past and our future values remain the same - we are all Jews seeking to maintain a Jewish homeland with peace and security."

Jeanne, a South African who first became involved in the 400,000 strong member Maccabi World Union at the tender age of 6, never expected to become President, but says that she is enjoying every moment of it. And it shows. She gently attends to dozens of people who approach her. Some come with a warm handshake while others appear a bit anxious seeking a comfort zone in their new temporary home. Like magic, after a few minutes of speaking with Jeanne, the few problems and anxious faces melt into happy smiles and warm embraces.

"The Maccabiah is not all about sport," Futeran says. "It's more about Israel, a love for our land, our people, our heritage, Zionism and turning the young athletes onto making Aliya. Yes, sports and culture are very important, and true, proud and historic traditions of Judaism, but the athletic competition serves as a tool, as a catalyst to bring the global Jewish family together once every four years to Israel. Thousands of young men and women are exposed to the real Israel, a small and thriving democracy with modern cities, long, sandy beaches, beautiful green mountains and magical deserts filled with palm trees and ancient cities."

"The 18th Maccabiah Games are without a doubt the most successful Jewish Olympic Games ever held in Israel," says Futeran. "Despite a worldwide recession and threats calling for Israel's destruction from Iran, Jews from the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, France, Holland, Turkey, Denmark, UK, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, South Africa and so many more nations from around the world are showing their solidarity with the people of Israel and in numbers that we have never seen before.
It makes one very proud to be a part of this great event. As an athlete, coach, administrator, tour guide, driver or cook, we are all one family saying yes to Chai - the number 18 which in Hebrew means life."

Inside the Maccabiah headquarters, one will also find a very cool and collected Maccabiah Executive Director, Eyal Tiberger. Holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a pad of paper in the other, Eyal starts his day at sunrise and ends his day near mid-night. His personal assistants Ilana and Smadar always near by, ready to complete dozens of tasks, showing no pressure.

Much like a seasoned IDF general, Eyal symbolizes the assets of a true Israeli leader. Going from room to room, delegation to delegation, tackling all issues from the entertainment of the opening and closing ceremonies to making sure that all medical, security and food logistics are complete to greeting hundreds of athletes, coaches and foreign dignitaries. At the entrance to Eyal's office is a white plaque with his name and title and pinned next to it on a small piece of paper is a note that states: "Never take no for an answer. No means yes."

It is this kind of Israeli persistence and confidence that allows Eyal to conquer each and every challenge that gets placed in his path. Always with a soft smile and listening, understanding eyes, he leads a large and diverse civilian Jewish army to victory. For it is not who wins or loses the foot race, the volleyball game or the swimming match, but rather a victory of just being here, participating as brothers in the largest Jewish networking event the world has ever witnessed.

The Maccabi World Union was established in 1895 and is one of the longest-standing, continuously-operating Zionist movements, with 400,000 plus members, in 65 countries on 6 continents. In addition to the Maccabiah, (aka "Jewish Olympics) which it stages in Israel every 4 years, MWU is involved in a great many ongoing global initiatives that leverage sporting activity to create Jewish and Israel related educational opportunities.

Nirit Harel French, the Executive Director of the North America Maccabi states that the activities are slightly different in each region, based on the needs of each community, however, the goals and methods remain consistent: Jewish continuity and informal education through sports and recreation.

"In Israel, Maccabi is famous for its professional sports teams, including Euroleague champions, Maccabi Tel Aviv," says Nirit. "However, we are also involved in a wide range of social action initiatives and informal educational programs. Our Maccabi Tzair Youth movement engages tens of thousands of young people in community service as volunteers, working with youth in the most economically distressed areas in Israel, and helping to distribute MWU-donated food parcels over the holidays."

Harel French states that the Maccabi also provides sports rehabilitation services to victims of terrorism. In Latin America Maccabi serves as a community center where all Jewish recreational and educational activities are focused. As a non-religious, apolitical movement, we appeal to every kind of Jew, and have been particularly successful at reaching the unaffiliated in places such as Eastern Europe, where the revival of Jewish life and continuity are so vitally important. We have made a particular effort to nurture future leaders in FSU/CIS communities by establishing local summer camps, and by bringing them to regional sporting events, on leadership missions to Israel, and to the Maccabiah.

Nirit says that the 18th Maccabiah, MWU's "crown jewel", will take place in four days and will be an extravaganza unlike any other seen in Israel or in the Jewish world - including 10,000 athletes (nearly the same number of athletes as the Olympics, 80-90 percent of whom have never been to Israel) and drawing some 25,000 tourists to Israel from nearly 70 countries.

The Maccabiah is the largest Jewish event in the world, the largest tourist event in Israel, and ranks second or third in size among global sporting events.

"We expect many Jewish, sports, government and other international VIPs at our opening ceremony," says Harel French. "A very beautiful and moving spectacular with over 2,000 performers. For many it is a transformational moment to see this amazing display of Jewish strength and solidarity from around the world, and there is rarely a dry eye in the audience."

The 18th Maccabiah Games will be utilizing powerful Web 2.0 social networking to connect in real time with millions worldwide. There are Twitter channels: wmu, maccabi, israelmaccabiah and #maccabiah and two official Facebook groups.

A state of the art Web 2.0 Maccabiah Web site is expected to be launched within the next 48 hours.