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Volunteers
Create The 18th Israel Maccabiah
By
Joel Leyden Jerusalem, Israel ---- July 11, 2009 ...... Beyond the various Maccabi and Maccabiah air conditioned executive offices in Israel, New York, London, Paris, Moscow, Rome and South Africa, transcending those of us who are working under contract from the Kfar Maccabi Headquarters in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan, is a large and powerful army. It is an elite and highly respected group of Jewish volunteers who hail from both Israel and dozens of countries. Sara, the director of the 18th Maccabiah volunteer unit, a very warm, kind spoken woman from Tel Aviv, states that the 18th Maccabiah has over 450 volunteers from Israel, with ten percent coming from abroad. "We decided to custom make the right jobs for the right volunteers," says Sara. "We have 12 professional translators, 24 writers and photographers, those who enjoy wrapping and packaging gifts, 60 volunteers of all ages helping in the sporting events, welcoming the delegations as they arrive at Ben-Gurion airport with flags, signs, posters. At the 18th Maccabiah Fun Beach Day we had 50 volunteers on the beaches of Israel giving presents from the Maccabiah. We have many who have volunteered for the MOKED emergency operations. These are hard working people who have left their day jobs to give a few shifts." "From Argentina we had 18-year-olds who have come to Israel in a religious program for 6 months taking part in something which is difficult to articulate. They were told that they were needed to be at the Ramat Gan Maccabiah stadium during Shabbat to be a part of the ceremony. Rather than giving up on their volunteer efforts, these students walked from dawn for hours from Ramat Efal to Ramat Gan," said Sara. "We have volunteers from Uruguay, Chile, Norway and Brazil to Russia, the US, the UK, Germany and Switzerland helping in logistics and several other functions. Many volunteering just to have a ticket to the games, to be a part of the greatest Jewish family event." "Volunteerism is an effort which comes from the heart," says Sara. "For many of us who live in Israel, it is difficult to volunteer as the financial conditions in Israel do not allow for disposal income and many of us literally count each and every sheckel. But there are still those Israelis who make the ultimate sacrifice of doing without a night out or a movie to give a day or a week of their time to the IDF, hospitals and to the Maccabiah." When asked if these Israelis were seen as "friars" - or in English "suckers" - being that there is little money in Israel - how can one volunteer? Sara responds: "I don't think it is right, many think that they can't be a volunteer because of their financial situation, but they still look at volunteers with respect and perhaps even jealously."
Brett Weiss, 25, from Maryland is a volunteer working in the Maccabiah sports department, helping to schedule the events. Brett has been working as a volunteer for two months, working 10 hours a day. "I have paid for most of my expenses. I came for the experience, left a family brokerage business and to do something different. I came to help out. I love it. Everyone is really warm. Doing a mitzvah for myself and Jewish nation." Ester Schneder who traveled from Sweden, paid for her own expenses - travel and hotel and works in one of the many administrative offices. Ester, who describes her volunteer activity as "wonderful" will be out of the office tomorrow and at the golf course in Caseara to help in organizing that event. Kim Maniovich, 21, from Tel Aviv - grew up in Israel and left the country when she was 12. This volunteer, whose family has been in the Maccabiah for over 30 years and grandfather was President of Maccabi World Union states that people are impressed in how fast we get things done. "We work long hours, but it's inspiring to see strong Jewish athletes, men and women who are fit both mentality and physically - it gives us something to be proud of - not just brains, but muscle as well." Kim, who goes to Boston University and works as an intern in the 18th Maccabiah media and public relations office, says that the cultural differences between the Americans and Israelis are not that wide, while working with the English who are more conservative and process oriented compared to those in Israel who are relationship oriented. Sascha Sudikoff, 20, who grew up in Los Angeles and goes to school in Edinburgh says that it's "long hours". But also finds time to party on the grass with the athletes. "I have been working as a volunteer since June. No money. But the experience is great. My parents have been helping me." Sascha adds: "I think its great. The Maccabiah brings Jews together from all over the world. I love it. To help make it happen. Helping Israel and it is an excellent opportunity for Israel - and for the Jewish nation. People need to come to Israel and not view Israel just by the media." Gaby Cohen, 16, came from the US. This is her second day working as a volunteer at the 18th Maccabiah and was also assigned to the media and press office. "I never felt that I belonged to the Jewish community more so until I came here," says Gaby. "Its important to support the Jewish community by participating. And this is my first job. I am very lucky to be here in Israel." Shuli Speilman,
from Tel Aviv, usually works as a financial broker. Today she
wears the hat of deputy head of the 18th Maccabiah volunteering
unit. When asked if she felt that Israeli volunteers were viewed
as "friars" she responded with a smile. The World Maccabiah Games are a quadrennial event that takes place in Israel. The 18th World Maccabiah Games, scheduled for July 12 – 23, 2009 will be the world’s third largest international athletic competition. Over 7,000 of the world’s best Jewish athletes from six continents and over 60 countries will compete at the Games. This year’s Maccabiah kicks off with an opening ceremony at the Ramat Gan Stadium on Monday night, July 13. Three time Gold medal Olympian swimmer Jason Lezak of the US team, will light the flame. As the world’s
third largest sports event after the Olympics, the Maccabiah Games
plays host to 3,000 junior Maccabiah athletes, aged 15 -18; 5,000
open athletes, 2,000 masters and Paralympics. Sports for which competitors will be going for Gold include: artistic gymnastics, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, bridge, cricket, chess, fencing, golf, gymnastics, handball, half-marathon, field hockey, judo, karate, netball, lawn bowls, rowing, rugby, squash, soccer, softball, swimming, table-tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, track and field, ten-pin bowling, volleyball, water polo, wrestling and windsurfing. The 18th Maccabiah Games will be utilizing powerful Web 2.0 new media social networking to connect in real time with millions in Israel and worldwide. There are Twitter channels: israelmaccabiah and maccabiah and two official Facebook groups. In addition to Maccabiah.com, a new state of the art Web 2.0 Maccabiah Web site was launched yesterday. Shuli says that the 18th Maccabiah is saturated with volunteers and cannot take any more for this Maccabiah. "We are fortunate to have many volunteers. They all receive a shirt, a hat, a ticket to the events and food. It is not important what their age is or where they come from. They just want to be a part of the greatest Jewish gathering on Earth. Just want to be a part of the Maccabiah. To help, to give, to make people smile in bringing the Jewish nation together."
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