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October 1, 2004/Tishri 6 5765, Vol. 57, No. 5
JCC to host 2006 Maccabi Games
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
Phoenix will host the 2006 JCC Maccabi Games, bringing an estimated 1,500 Jewish teens from around the world to the Valley July 30-Aug. 4, 2006, for an Olympic-style sports competition.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to grow and build the community," said Bob Silver, immediate past president of the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center board. He will co-chair the games with Karen Koven.
Silver announced the decision at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center's Sept. 27 annual meeting. This will be the first time the Games are held here.
The JCC will invite the entire community to help, Silver said. About 500 homes will be sought to house the athletes and their coaches.
At the meeting, Ron Barness, chairman of the grants com-mittee of the Jewish Commun-ity Foundation, presented a $25,000 grant to the JCC for the Games.
Also at the meeting, Louis Lippman, a member of the Continental Governing Board of the JCC Maccabi Games, formally named the JCC as a host. Lippman, who chaired the Games in Houston in 1995 and 1999 and has attended 13 Games, emphasized the impact that hosting the Games will have on the Valley Jewish community.
"You will tear down walls, you will build bridges," he said, referring to the opportunity to involve Jewish teens, families and organizations throughout the Valley.
The first North American JCC Maccabi Games were held in Memphis, Tenn., in 1982. The Games take place every summer in as many as five host cities. Teens ages 13-16, from the United States, Israel, Mexico, South America, Australia and Europe, compete in 14 sports.
All athletes will also participate in a Day of Caring.
Twenty-six local athletes attended the 2004 Games in Austin and 75 athletes are being sought for the 2005 Games in Dallas, said Paul Frishman, JCC associate executive director. Tryouts will be held early next year.
JCC leaders hope to have 300 local teens compete in the 2006 Phoenix Games, he said.
Frishman also announced that the JCC will begin a year-round JCC Maccabi Teen program, offering teenagers, ages 12-16, with social, athletic, cultural and social programming.
Mark Shore, JCC CEO and president, told meeting attendees that the JCC is "extremely honored" to host the 2006 Games and said the center is "inspiring Jewish journeys."
"We're looking forward to future Olympians who got their start at the JCC," he said.
The JCC is seeking volunteers and sponsors for the Games. Call 480-483-8441, ext. 1202. For more information about JCC's Phoenix team at this year's Games in Austin, visit www.jccmaccabiphoenix.org.
Contact the writer here
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