JCC Games team Maccabi GB have brought home 23 medals after representing British Jewry at the JCC
Maccabi Games in Detroit.
The squad of 35 athletes and managers took part in 10 successful days of sporting
competition and cultural activities.
Of the medals won, many came from swimming and dance, with both
football teams winning silver.
James Kaye won an incredible 14 medals in the pool, with James
Abrahams winning a bronze in the 400 yard medley relay.
Dancers Nicole Petar and Danit Newmark won gold in the Ballet Duet and silver in the Contemporary Duet. Nicole completed her collection with silver in Street Dance and Modern Solo and Danit won Tap Dance Bronze.
Tennis player Reece Hilburn won gold with his partner from Detroit in the mixed doubles tournament.
On the football pitch, Team Maccabi GB U14 Boys Football lost 4-1 against a mixed US team, with Gil Tydeman scoring for Great Britain. U16 Boys Football also lost 2-1 to Philadelphia. Carlo Madar was the scorer.
Chelsea Cresswell played as part of a mixed United States girls team for volleyball, but unfortunately did not reach the finals.
The athletes also took part in the annual JCC Cares charitable project, which this year involved interacting with young children by playing different sports as well as bingo in a care home for the elderly.
One of the highlights of the Games are the evening and social activities, which allow the athletes to meet other young Jewish people from all over the world and make lifelong friendships.
Joint Head of Delegation Janice Aarons said “We were extremely proud to have taken a delegation of young athletes this summer to Detroit.
“Winning 23 medals across the sports was a fantastic reflection of the hard work and determination that the athletes put into their eight-month training programmes prior to the Games. We would like to thank the managers for all their time and
dedication that they gave and would also like to thank and congratulate the athletes themselves.”
Ian Aarons added: “The JCC Maccabi Games allow young Jewish athletes their first opportunity of representing their country at an international sports event. Team Maccabi GB have not only represented their country, but their community as well as
having made lifelong friendships.”
The JCC Maccabi Games are held annually for Jewish teenagers between the ages of 13 and 16 and began in 1982.
Next year, the JCC Maccabi Games will be held in San Diego,
California.
