Philadelphia, PA, December 13, 2007 – Joseph and Albert Braha, both of Manhattan, will be competing as part of the U.S. Open Men’s Basketball Team at the 11th Pan American Maccabi Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Games will take place from December 26, 2007 through January 2, 2008.
Joseph recently returned as a member of the U.S. Open Men’s Basketball Team that competed at the 12th European Maccabi Games in Rome, Italy in July. They brought home a bronze medal for their efforts. At the European Games, the first match for the U.S. was against Italia and after the games, Joseph discovered that there was another Joseph Braha on the Italia team and after some extensive calls home, they discovered they are related and come from the same family in Syria.? It was truly an amazing experience for both ?Josephs’ and our Joseph has recruited his younger brother Albert to compete with him in Buenos Aires.
Both Braha brothers grew up in Monmouth County, playing basketball at their local JCC.? This will be their first experience as teammates in an international competition and both men are excited to represent the United States as Jewish athletes.? As Joseph said when asked about his expectations for the games, “I want to meet new people, establish lifetime friendships, play as a team and win the Gold!”
The Braha brothers will join 20 other sets of siblings that are part of 50 families with two or more members competing for the USA at the Games.? They will have the opportunity to experience international athletic competition, cultural and educational experiences as members of Team USA and as brothers.
“Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel will send a contingent of close to 500 to the 11th 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. 11th Pan American Maccabi Games Organizing Committee.?
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.