TWO GENERATIONS OF THE LERMAN FAMILY WILL SKATE FOR GOLD AT THE 20TH WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES
Philadelphia, PA, June 5, 2017 – The Maccabi USA family is about to get a whole lot bigger as another family of athletes joins Team USA for the 20th World Maccabiah Games, July 4-18 in Israel. Ari, Danny, Marc, Max, and Billy Lerman will be competing in the Juniors, Open, and Masters Ice Hockey Divisions. During the Opening Ceremony, they will march in as father and sons, uncles and nephews, brothers, and teammates.
Billy was a member of the 2013 Masters Ice Hockey Team and he recruited his two sons, Ari for the Juniors’ division, and Max for the Open division, as well as his two brothers, Danny and Marc to join him on the Masters squad at the 2017 World Maccabiah Games. Although the Lerman family are frequent travelers to Israel, the Games will be the first time all will compete together internationally, adding a family component to their experience at the Games. They have been training together to prepare for the competition in Israel and are looking forward to the team camaraderie and meeting other Jewish athletes from the USA and around the world.
“We have three in the same division, Billy, Marc and I. Then Max in the Open division and Ari in the Juniors,” said Danny Lerman. “We will watch each other’s games and have a blast together. It makes it fun competing with family. Additionally, many of our family is coming over to watch and enjoy the experience with us as well.”
Maccabi USA will bring a team of 1,100+ athletes who will be part of the 10,000 Jewish athletes from 80 countries, participating in 43 different sports, comprising one Jewish team. Since 1932, over 62,000 athletes have participated in the Maccabiah Games, in a celebration of Jewish Strength and Solidarity. Team USA’s success is not only measured by the medals won, but by the impact that the Maccabiah experience had on their lives as well as the friendships they formed.
Maccabi USA builds Jewish pride through sports, generating the emotional intensity, high ideals, and powerful camaraderie of competition. We connect athletes, volunteers, and supporters with the global Jewish community. Our athletic, educational, and cultural experiences build Jewish identity, perpetuate Jewish continuity worldwide, and strengthen support for the State of Israel.
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 has been selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) as a Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The nonprofit Organization becomes one of 35 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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