FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           

Ron Carner to Lead Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel on Growth Path as Newly Elected President

December 9, 2009, Philadelphia, PA - Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel (MUSA) has elected a new president and slate of officers for its leadership over the next four years.  Ron Carner, of Manhattan and Bridgehampton, NY will serve as the president for the organization.

Elections took place at the MUSA Annual Meeting in New York City on December 6.  Immediate Past President for two terms, Tonia Wortman said, "Ron Carner is a dynamic and talented man who has been a driving force in the leadership of Maccabi USA for the past 25 years.  His commitment to our Mission and his passion for Jewish Youth and Israel have earned him the admiration and respect of his colleagues, here in the USA and abroad, and the gratitude of the athletes whose lives have been changed by their Maccabi experiences.  I have every confidence that our new President will lead MUSA to even greater heights of achievement and accomplishment."

The Brooklyn, NY- born and raised Carner was known in his James Madison High School and Brandeis University ('61) days as a Varsity basketball player.  A graduate of Loyola Law School ('66), Carner became, in 1975, a senior partner in the law office of Sarisohn, Sarisohn, Carner, LeBow, Braun & Shiebler in Commack, NY. 

In Carner's 25-year career as a volunteer for MUSA, he has put in numerous hours, days and weeks into his many leadership roles at six Pan American Maccabi Games and six Maccabiah Games in Israel.  Most recently, at the 18^th Maccabiah in July 2009 in Israel, he led the largest of any sports delegation that has ever traveled from the USA.

A Vice-President for the past eight years for the world-body of the Movement, Maccabi World Union, Carner was awarded the Yakir Award in Israel in July 2009.  He is one of only five individuals from North America in the 77 years of the awards history to receive it.  The Yakir Award is the highest honor presented by Maccabi World Union every four years in recognition of the exceptional activists' dedication to the Maccabi Movement. Following the Yakir Award ceremony, Carner addressed the Israeli Cabinet, explaining the role of the Maccabiah Movement among Diaspora Jews. 

"I intend to continue to build upon the great foundation that our prior Presidents have established to create greater awareness and visibility of our life-changing programs and to build greater financial stability for the organization," Carner stated when asked about his vision for MUSA.  "I will continue our mission of using sports to celebrate Jewish heritage and unity of our people and the centrality of Israel and Jewish Pride."

Along with Carner, the new slate of officers includes Jordan Weinstein, Uxbridge, MA to First Vice President; Seth Baron, Kennesaw, GA, Vice President; Leland Faust, San Francisco, CA, Vice President; Donna Orender, Jacksonville, FL, Vice President; Jodi Reff, Rockville, MD, Vice President; Walter Klores, New York, NY, Secretary; Jeffrey Simon, Northbrook, IL, Treasurer; Jeffrey Bukantz, Associate Treasurer.  Additionally, over 40 individuals were elected as members of the Board of Directors.

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. 

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