MACCABI USA SENDS DELEGATION TO ISRAEL FOR FIRST EVER MACCABI ACCESS MISSION
Philadelphia, PA, May 28, 2019 – Earlier this month, Maccabi USA sponsored a delegation of seven Paralympic basketball athletes and two staff members for the first ever Maccabi Access Basketball Mission. The Mission took place in Israel, May 12-21, 2019.
The athletes are Stan Corn of Manakin Sabot, VA; Matt Darlow of Tinton Falls, NJ; Seth Goldberg of Arlington Heights, IL; Mark Hartney of Williamsburg, VA; Jessica Hillier-Davidson of Indio, CA; Moshe Kraiem of Hollywood, FL; and Chad Sussman of Sound Beach, NY.
The team played five games, each in a different location against counterparts from the Israeli clubs of disabled veterans. Maccabi USA worked directly with Ilan, an organization that provides services for individuals with disabilities. In addition to the competitions, the team took part in cultural and educational tours. They visited Yad VaShem, Caesara, the Druze Village of Daliyat al-Karmel, a military base of the IDF, and more. The team also met with Israeli Olympian, Vered Buskila, the Vice President of the Israeli Olympic Committee, and Paralympian, Keren Legovich who won seven medals at the Paralympic Games in swimming.
“This once in a lifetime experience has opened my eyes to bigger and better things,” said Maccabi Access Team Member Moshe Kraiem. “I hope to participate in the 2021 Maccabiah Games and hopefully come home with a medal. Maccabi Access has enriched and empowered me to do better, to work harder, and although it may seem difficult at times, to never give up.”
Maccabi USA believes in providing a fair and equal opportunity for each and every Jewish athlete – despite their physical challenges. Maccabi USA uses sports as a vehicle to connect Jewish athletes back to their heritage and culture within the state of Israel.
During the 12-day mission, the Maccabi Access participants had the opportunity to meet and present this program to other international Maccabi delegations at the annual Maccabi World Union Plenum. Maccabi USA hopes to help create a Jewish Paralympic community through its continued international competitions.
For more information, please contact Maccabi USA Shaliach Daniel Gurevich at 215-561-6900 or by email at shaliach@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 all over the world 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, and is rated as a four-star non-profit by Charity Navigator.
###