Tucson Shines at JCC Maccabi Games in Omaha

The Tucson Maccabi Delegation attended the JCC Maccabi Games in Omaha, NE for the 15th year. The games attract thousands of Jewish youth each year from across the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Israel and this year, Hungary.

The Tucson team included 14 athletes who competed in six different sports: basketball, Benny Louchheim, Ben Klinkenberg, Harrison Avigdor, Reagan Glynn, Braden Stuchen, Josh Goldberg and Austen Berens; soccer, Kendall Karon and Shawn Spitzer; tennis, Daniel Goldstein; swimming, Bonnie Diamond and Dakota Kordsiemon; and golf, Charlie Goode and Kevin Goldstein.

“Our team made the city of Tucson and the JCC very proud. They competed to the best of their abilities and had a great time socializing with all the other athletes in Omaha,” said delegation head Stu Epstein.

Bonnie and Dakota won 23 medals, mostly gold, in all their races. On the links Kevin Goldstein won gold in the 15-16 age category while Charlie Goode took home a silver medal in the 13-14 age group. Kevin won the closest to the pin with a shot only 22 inches away and Charlie won the longest drive. Kevin topped off the week with another gold medal in the team competition. Kendall, playing on a mixed team with St Louis and Northern Virginia, carried the soccer team to the bronze medal game losing in overtime. Shawn was mixed with the Phoenix Soccer squad and made it to the semi-finals. Daniel Goldstein, competing in his first set of games, made it to the quarter finals, finishing with a 3-3 record. Daniel is the 3rd Goldstein brother to represent Tucson at the games!

We are extremely excited about next year’s JCC Maccabi Games, which will be held 
July 24-August 5, 2011 in Israel. This two-week event will include a tour of Israel while the athletes are there. Sports that will be offered are basketball, bowling, soccer, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. If you are a Jewish teen ages 14-17 and are interested in this exciting once-in-a-lifetime adventure, please contact Stu Epstein at sepstein@tucsonjcc.org as soon as possible. Space is limited. Parents can experience Israel with their teen! Parent and family tour packages will be available to attend opening ceremonies and final competitions.

If you are interested in joining the Tucson JCC Maccabi team and you are a Jewish athlete between the ages of 13-16, please contact Stu at 615-5433 or 299-3000 x193. Registration and tryouts will begin in early September.

Maccabi Photos

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