December 15, Philadelphia, PA - Jeff Bukantz, of Montville, NJ was elected Assistant Treasurer for Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel (MUSA) at its annual meeting on December 6 in New York City.  Bukantz has been involved with MUSA since he first competed as an athlete almost 30 years ago. 

Bukantz is a second generation alumnus; his late father, Dr. Daniel Bukantz, was a gold-medal Maccabiah and Olympian athlete.  He has chronicled his own history in Fencing in a book titled, "Closing the Distance, Chasing a Father's Olympic Fencing Legacy" published in 2006.  Bukantz has competed in four Maccabiah Games winning two individual gold and one bronze medals as well as two gold, four silver and two bronze Team medals and served as a Fencing Referee at the 1984 and1996 Olympic Games.  He also served as Team Captain for the 2004 and 2008 United States Olympic Fencing Teams.

He has stayed involved with MUSA since his first Maccabiah as an athlete for 12 years, then as a member of the Board of Directors since 1994, becoming a member of the Executive Committee and now an elected Officer. 

"Having been involved with Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel as an athlete and administrator since 1981, I look forward to serving as an Officer.  New President Ron Carner will undoubtedly provide the high level of leadership exemplified by [former presidents] Toni Wortman and Bob Spivak," Bukantz commented on his new role.  "I love the organization, the projects and most of all, that we expose Jewish youth to their roots in a guilt-free environment." 

Bukantz manages his volunteer obligations with his professional role as the President of Flex Energy Management in Roseland, NJ. 

Along with Bukantz, a new slate of Officers was elected on December 6, including 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;  and Jeffrey Simon, Northbrook, IL, 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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