MACCABI USA SEEKING JEWISH EQUESTRIANS FOR THE 20TH WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES
Philadelphia, PA, July 22, 2016 – Maccabi USA and Anna Sylvan-Jaffe and Sandra Cohen, Overall Equestrian Co-Chairman for the 20th World Maccabiah Games USA Organizing Committee, are seeking qualified Jewish Equestrians, ages 18-35, to represent the United States on the Open Equestrian team at the 20th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 4-18, 2017. Maccabi USA is scheduled to compete in Dressage and Show Jumping, and the Open Equestrian team will be part of the overall 1,200+ member USA Team at the 2017 World Maccabiah Games.
Sylvan-Jaffe and Cohen are both deeply dedicated to Equestrian riders and competitors. They both competed for Team USA at the 2015 European Maccabi Games in Berlin, Germany, winning a bronze medal as part of the team competition in Dressage. Sylvan-Jaffe, who served as the Chef D’Equipe in Berlin, won the 4th level AA Freestyle at the USA Dressage Finals in 2014, the 4th level AA United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Region 8 Championships and the New England Dressage Association year-end high score award. Cohen is a USDF bronze medalist as well as a Dover medal winner, and finished as the second level high point champion at the Green Mountain Horse Association Dressage Days in 2014.
They both agree, “We are both looking forward to building a competitive team of riders to travel to Israel in 2017 and represent the United States in Equestrian. This will be a trans-formative opportunity for the right athlete to combine his or her passion for horses, with competing in an international sporting event and also exploring their Jewish identity.”
Maccabi USA is seeking qualified Jewish athletes to represent Team USA in Equestrian at the 20th World Maccabiah Games in the Open Equestrian division, for those ages 18-35. The official application can be found online by clicking here.
The 20th World Maccabiah Games are the world’s third largest international sporting event and will consist of over 9,000 athletes from 75 countries participating in 42 different sports. To learn more about the sports and age divisions offered, please visit our website.
The World Maccabiah Games are more than an international sporting competition; they are a celebration of Jewish culture, unity and pride. ISRAEL CONNECT, Maccabi USA’s unique cultural and educational program, takes place for seven days prior to the start of the Games. All Juniors, Youth, Open and Paralympic athletes must participate in the program, where they have the opportunity to tour historical and religious sites, take part in cultural identity seminars and train with their teams, all while developing lifelong relationships.
For more information, please contact Program Director, Shane Carr, at (215) 561-6900 x4147, or by email at scarr@maccabiusa.com.
About the organization:
Maccabi USA (MUSA) is a federally-recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with 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, and the Pan American and European Maccabi Games, as well as a sponsor 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. It strives 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. Maccabi USA Builds Jewish Pride Through Sports.
Maccabi USA is a U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The organization is one of 38 MSOs nationwide to be recognized by the USOC for its ability to cultivate a national interest in sport and increase opportunities for participation internationally, nationally and at the grassroots level.
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