Philadelphia, PA, August 22, 2008 - Brothers Gene and Lenny Weiss, originally from Shaker Heights, OH, will be honored with a Tribute Brunch for their outstanding contributions to sports in Cleveland, OH, Jewish athletics and Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel on Sunday, September 21 in Solon, Ohio. 

Both Weiss brothers have been deeply involved with Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel.  Gene has had the privilege of participating in three World Maccabiah Games, beginning in 1953 as an athlete where he won three gold medals.  He then continued his involvement as a coach and chairman.  Younger brother Lenny joined Gene as a coach and alternate at the 9^th World Maccabiah Games in 1973 and continued on as a coach and chairman for the USA Wrestling Team in subsequent World Maccabiah Games. 

Both Gene and Lenny are well-recognized athletes and are both members of the Shaker Heights High School Hall of Fame.  Gene won gold medals at the 4^th and 5^th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, is a member of the Ohio State Hall of Fame and is currently the Chairman of the Ohio Athletic Commission.  Lenny, who attributes his athletic success to having two older brothers - Earl and Gene - who were both great athletes, was an award-winning football player and wrestler in high school and continued his wrestling career at Ohio State University. 

The Weiss Brothers' experience with the World Maccabiah Games changed their lives and provided them with the opportunity to fall in love with their host country, Israel.  They are both very humbled by the upcoming Tribute and want to use the opportunity to help provide the same experience they had for other athletes from the United States.  There is limited seating still available at this event. If you are interested in attending, please contact Sara Feinstein at sfeinstein@maccabiusa.com or (215) 561-6900 x119.  All proceeds from this event will be used to send the USA Team to the 18^th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, July, 2009.

About the organization:

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.  We strive to provide Jewish athletes the world over the opportunity to share their heritage and customs in competitive athletic settings.  We support programs that embody the Maccabi ideals of Jewish continuity, Zionism and excellence in sport. 

"Now more than ever, we need to get involved and committed 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 18^th World Maccabiah Games, scheduled for July 13 - 23, 2009 will be the world's third largest international athletic competition.  Over 9000 of the world's best Jewish athletes from six continents and over 60 countries will compete at the Games.

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