by Ron Kaplan
NJJN Features Editor

June 4, 2009

United Jewish Communities of MetroWest New Jersey is contributing $500 to each of the 15 athletes from the MetroWest area participating on Team USA at the 18th World Maccabiah Games in Israel.

The funding is part of UJC’s Gift of Israel program, which supports trips to Israel for teens and other MetroWest community members. The funds will go toward each athlete’s fund-raising obligation, or yachad (Hebrew for “together”). The amounts range from $3,300 to $6,600, depending on the levels — junior, youth, open, or master.

According to a press release, UJC MetroWest is making the contribution “to help provide MetroWest children and young adults with an Israeli experience and support their identification with Judaism and with the Jewish homeland,” as well as to support the Games.

More than 900 athletes from over 60 countries will compete in more than 25 sports at this year’s competition, held July 13-23 at various venues around Israel. The U.S. contingent will take part in soccer, basketball, bowling, swimming, field hockey, judo, rowing, and tennis.

The athletes on Team USA were selected through tryouts conducted by Maccabi USA, a volunteer organization that sponsors the American team and seeks to enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the United States, Israel, and elsewhere through athletic, cultural, and educational programs.

Participants from MetroWest include: Dana Aidekman, Madison; Steven Alper, Towaco; Julia Blumenstyk, Morristown; Jeffrey Cohn, Short Hills; Charles Guevara, Short Hills; Matthew Halpern, Caldwell; Stuart Hochberger, Summit; Jonathan Kalin, Mendham; Samuel Katz, Livingston; Brian Kronick, South Orange; Josh Lewis, Montville; Barbara Rosenbaum, Livingston; Alex Rosenberg, Short Hills; Drew Rosenberg, Short Hills; and Cara Silverman, Roseland.

For further information about the World Maccabiah Games, visit www.maccabiusa.com.

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