Welcome to the premiere issue of SPIRIT, the official newsletter of the Westchester 2009 JCC Maccabi Games. SPIRIT will provide frequent updates on plans for the Games and the progress being made. We welcome your comments and feedback.
For the first time ever, the JCC of Mid-Westchester, along with the Rosenthal JCC of Northern Westchester and the JCC on the Hudson, will host the JCC Maccabi Games. The Games are a unique opportunity to unite the entire Westchester Jewish community, and we need everyone to be part of our team.
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Get ready!! 1,400 Jewish teen athletes and their families from around the world are coming to Westchester, August 16-21. Athletes will compete in basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball, baseball, in-line hockey, tennis, swimming, golf, table tennis, and dance.
Opening Ceremonies to Be Held at
Madison Square Garden
It's official!! Madison Square Garden will be the site of Opening Ceremonies. Imagine the thrill when Team Westchester, 300+ athletes strong, marches in. We are expecting more than 12,000 participants and friends of the JCC Maccabi Games to be there - be one of them! The entire Westchester community is invited to attend!
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Meet the Games Directors
When Steven Weisbrot, JCC Maccabi Games Director, found out Westchester had been selected to host the 2009 JCC Maccabi Games, he was ecstatic. Steven has been involved with the JCC Maccabi Games for the past 7 years, serving  as a coach and subsequenty as the JCC of Mid-Westchester Delegation Head. He also had the thrill of having his entire family involved in the Games. His three sons participated as both athletes and more recently as coaches, while his wife Renee was Delegation Head last summer, and will serve in as co-head of this summer's delegation. "The JCC Maccabi Games are so much more than a sports competition. The bonds that are formed between the athletes as well as between athletes and host families are what makes this experience truly remarkable," said Weisbrot. Steven is assisted by long-time JCC Maccabi Games basketball coach, Stan Pluchik. Stan has coached JCC boys basketball for 13 years and is excited to step into the role of JCC Maccabi Games Assistant Director for the 2009 Games.
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Help us Reach Our 2008 Year-End Goal of $700,000!
Total Funding needed: $2 million
Funds raised to date: $525,000
Hosting the Westchester 2009 JCC Maccabi Games requires raising substantial funds. Since our end-of-year campaign began on November 1st, we have raised over $65,000. Donations of every size, ranging from $25-$10,000, helped us reach this level!!
Every gift, no matter what size, helps.
Help keep the momentum going!! Please contribute what you can prior to the end of this tax year, which ends in just a few weeks. Click here to make a donation.
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Families and businesses can sponsor a sport, a venue, Opening Ceremonies, the Israeli Team, a lunch, or a variety of other activities. Sponsors receive added benefits, including invitations to VIP events, advertising and marketing exposure, and perhaps a spot on the Jumbotron at Madison Square Garden. For more details click here.
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| Volunteers needed |
1,000 |
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| Volunteers to date |
187 |
We need 1,000 volunteers to help make the JCC Maccabi Games a resounding success. No matter how much or little time you have, we have a job for you. You don't have to have an athlete participating in the Games to get involved. We need people who can help in:
Staffing events the week of the Games, Aug 16-21
Whether you have a few hours, a day or the whole week, we need your help the week of the Games. Some of the things you can help with include.
- airport greeters
- bus chaperones
- equipment set up
- credentials preparers
- greeters
- meal set-up/service
- meal clean up
- scorekeepers
- snack/beverage/ice distribution
- timekeepers
- traffic control, etc.
Click here to sign up.
Planning for the Games
We also need volunteers to help prepare and plan for the Games. If you have graphic design, copywriting, public relations, or publications management skills, WE NEED YOU. Click here to sign up!
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- Tryouts for girls/boys soccer (U14 and U16), girls/boys tennis (U14 and U16) and dance are coming up in January and February. Click here for tryout schedule.
· If you are interested in competing in golf, bowling, table tennis or swimming, click here to contact Joanne Citrin, Delegation Head
· Response to tryouts has been tremendous and we thank all the enthusiastic athletes who have tried out to date. Tryouts for boys baseball, boys and girls basketball, girls volleyball, boys inline hockey and swimming have taken place and teams are in the process of being formed. Team rosters will be announced in February. |
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Host Families Needed: 700
Host Families to Date: 112
Enjoy the true spirit of the JCC Maccabi Games by welcoming visiting athletes into your home the week of the Games. Click here for details and to sign up. |
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| "After our last game, both my soccer team and the team we played against all got in a conjoined circle and danced and sang. I felt like we were all one big family and I thought to myself, this is why I do the JCC Maccabi Games, right here, for this reason. We are all one big family." - Allison, U16 soccer player
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During the week of the Games, all athletes and coaches will participate in Days of Caring and Sharing - activities that reflect the spirit of Tikun Olam, Repairing the World. They will volunteer for social action and service projects to benefit those in need in our community. Our committee is busy planning for this summer's program.
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Help us spread the news about the 2009 JCC Maccabi Games
FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS: Click here.
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