Largest Team Ever to Represent the USA at the Pan Am Maccabi Games Departs for Buenos Aires on December 22, 2007

Philadelphia, PA, December 6, - Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel (MUSA) is preparing to send its largest delegation ever to Buenos Aires to participate in the 11^th Pan American Maccabi Games from December 26 - through January 2, 2008. The delegation of close to 500 consists of 422 athletes, 29 coaches, 20 managers and a 14-member medical team. There will be over 24 families sending at least two members to compete at the Games, truly making this a celebration of Sport, Family, Friends and International Jewry.

The volunteer leadership for the delegation has been working for over two years to assemble this team and arrange for a great cultural and sporting experience. Included are Phyllis Magerman of Carlsbad, CA and Blue Bell, PA who is serving as the General Chairman; Fred Cohen of Deerfield, IL who is the Vice-Chair and General Sports Chair; Noralyn Carroll of North Caldwell, NJ who is the Missions Chair and Ron Carner of New York, NY who is a special advisor for the program.? They are joined by hundreds of volunteers from across the country who work in various roles to recruit, plan and support the program.

The delegation representing Team USA comes from 30 States, the District of Columbia and Canada. They come from Arizona - 9 members; California - 113; Colorado - 2; Connecticut - 8; District of Columbia - 1; Florida - 38; Georgia - 11; Hawaii - 1; Illinois - 32; Indiana - 3; Kansas - 1; Kentucky - 1; Massachusetts - 15; Maine - 1; Michigan - 2; Minnesota - 9; Missouri - 2; North Carolina - 6; New Jersey - 39; Nevada - 4; New York - 68; Ohio - 8; Oregon - 5; Pennsylvania - 59; Tennessee - 4; Texas - 8; Virginia - 6; Vermont - 1; Washington - 3 and Wisconsin - 1.?

They will participate in 17 sports including: Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Half Marathon, Judo, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Ten-Pin Bowling, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball and Water Polo.? Teams are divided by age and gender in categories of Juniors, Open and Masters athletes.? There will be three days dedicated to training and touring for Team USA before competition begins on the 26^th of December.

"Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel will send a contingent of close to 500 to the 11^th Pan American Maccabi Games, in the Open, Youth, Juniors and Masters categories, joining an estimated 3,000 athletes from more than 20 countries," said Phyllis Magerman, General Chair of the U.S. 11^th Pan American Maccabi Games Organizing Committee. "This will be an incredible experience for all the athletes and the friends, family and supporters who will join them in Buenos Aires," she continued.

Since 1948, Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel has sought to enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora through athletic, cultural and educational programs.? The organization is the sponsor of the U.S. Team to the World Maccabiah Games in Israel, the world's third largest international sporting event.? It also sponsors U.S. participation in Maccabi competitions in Pan America, Europe and Australia and supports Jewish youth through the JCC Maccabi Games.