Philadelphia, PA, March 2, - Maccabi USA/sports for Israel will celebrate its first 60 years with an unforgettable evening in New York City on April 22, 2009.  Maccabi USA will honor Donald Trump, Jr. as they celebrate the Legends of the Past and Heroes of the Future.  Trump, Jr. strongly supports Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel and believes in its Mission of using sports to create support for Israel.

The event is being co-chaired by Bonnie and Mitchell Rudin of Scarsdale, NY.  The evening will be hosted by Bruce Pearl, Head Men's Basketball Coach at the University of Tennessee and the USA Open Men's Basketball Team and will be attended by Maccabiah Sports Legends including: Lenny Krayzelburg, Donna Orender, Dolph Schayes, Wendy and Danny Schayes and Ethan Zohn.

As Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel prepares to send a Team of over 950 to the 18^th Maccabiah Games in Israel this July, the need for financial support is critical, given the challenges facing the USA and Israel.  Proceeds from this event will provide the opportunity for every qualified athlete who has been appointed to the Team to go to Israel not only to compete, but to connect to the State of Israel, their heritage and other Jews from around the world.

"The Maccabiah Games are about more than just sport," said Bonnie Rudin, "they provide an opportunito for the athletes to better understand their heritage and strengthen their bonds to Israel.  Mitchell and I and our sons, Scott and Ben, have had such wonderful experiences participating in the Maccabiah, that we felt it was especially timely for us to give something back so that others would be able to enrich their lives, as well."

The 60^th Anniversary Dinner will take place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on April 22, 2009.  there are select seats still available, for more information please contact Sara Feinstein at sfeinstein@maccabiusa.com or visit our website at http://www.maccabiusa.com/. 

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.  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 18^th World Maccabiah Games, scheduled for July 12 - 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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