Posted: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 10:37 pm

Everyone has heard of the Olympics. Perhaps not as many people have heard of the Maccabiah Games, what some might call the “Jewish Olympics.” On Friday, October 29th, Jed Margolis, Executive Director of Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel, will discuss these historic games with the community at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington.

In a program sponsored by the synagogue’s Israel Committee, Margolis will speak at services and present a video presentation of past Maccabiah games during a festive reception following the service. Elley Rosenberg, Or Hadash Israel Committee Chairperson, in explaining the interest in this program, commented, “The Maccabiah Games are such a source of Jewish pride. Jewish athletes from all over the world come together in friendship and competition.”The Maccabiah Games, the quadrennial Jewish Olympics, held in Israel the year following the Summer Olympics, recruits Jewish athletes (age 15 and up) to participate in the Maccabiah competitions. Every four years, the best Jewish athletes from throughout the world compete in Open, Masters, Juniors, and Disabled competitions. The Games are staged under the auspices of the Maccabi World Union (MWU), a worldwide youth and sports organization, headquartered in Israel, devoted to furthering Jewish identity and traditions through cultural, social, and educational activities.

An Or Hadash member, Jed Margolis began his professional tenure at Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel in March, 2002. His is a familiar face, from the time he was an athlete playing basketball in 1973, representing the USA in the World Maccabiah Games. He has served as Maccabi USA Vice President, USA Team Manager in 2001, and Accommodations and Assistant Managers for USA Maccabi Teams in 1997, '93, and '89. Prior to joining Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel, Margolis was a professional in Jewish Community Centers for 28 years in Cleveland, Cherry Hill, St. Louis, and Hartford.

The concept of the Maccabiah Games was the brainchild of 15-year old Russian-born Yosef Yekutieli. The teenager was so excited by news of the 1912 Olympic Games that he conceived the notion of a worldwide Olympics for Jewish athletes in Palestine.

The original Maccabiah was held March 28 to April 6, 1932. Although interrupted by World War II, they were reborn in the new State of Israel.

The Games today are organized by an International Maccabiah Committee and are sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee and World Federation of Sports. The Maccabiah Games, ranking among the five largest sports gatherings in the world in number of participants, are considered Regional Games by the International Olympic Committee.

For each participant, the Maccabiah Games are “two weeks to experience and a lifetime to remember.” For many, the Maccabiah is the athlete’s most significant connection to the State of Israel and for some, Judaism itself. For the young athlete, connection with Jewish contemporaries from the far reaches of the world, in the land of Jewish roots, inspires an awakening of heritage. Among the Olympic gold medallists, world champions, and world record holders who have competed in the Maccabiah Games are such luminaries as Mark Spitz (swimming); Mitch Gaylord (gymnastics); and Larry Brown (coach).For additional information about this program or about Or Hadash, please contact the Or Hadash office at 215-283-0276 or look at the synagogue website at www.orhadash.com.