The JCC Maccabi Games & ArtsFest is just around the corner. The annual extravaganza will be held Aug. 5-10 in Orange County, Calif.
As the event draws closer, several Detroit athletes and artists will reveal in the Jewish News what they’re looking forward to the most in California and if they’ve been to the Maccabi Games & ArtsFest previously, what their favorite memories are.
Here’s the first group of responses:
Lance Markowitz, 16, West Bloomfield (ice hockey): “I’m looking forward to meeting my host family, playing lots of hockey, playing more hockey, potentially meeting players from the National Hockey League and beating hockey teams from all over the country and world.”
Markowitz’s favorite memories: “Trading pins and ‘swag,’ competing, meeting my host family for the first time, family host night, watching other sports (I was surprised how much I got into a basketball game that didn’t even include a Detroit team), meeting people and coaches from other countries and playing against them.”
Mari Lynn, 16, West Bloomfield (competitive dance): “I’m looking forward to seeing my Maccabi friends I’ve met over the past two years.”
Lynn’s favorite memories: “Walking into the opening ceremony as a strong Detroit delegation in Miami (in 2017) and making shoes for the Sole Hope organization for JCC Cares in Miami.”
Abby Chayet, 13, West Bloomfield (dance): “I’m looking forward to representing Detroit.”
Jonah Stern, 14, West Bloomfield (ice hockey): “I’m looking forward to competing against other Jewish athletes in a sport I love.”
Jacob Berg, 14, Farmington Hills (baseball): “I’m looking forward to meeting kids from Jewish communities around the country and representing my city.”
Sophie Rosen, 15, Farmington Hills (dance): “I’m looking forward to having a lot of fun, being with my friends and meeting people from other cities.”
David Wrotslavsky, 15, Detroit (ice hockey): “I’m looking forward to getting to know our hockey team and meeting new people. I’ve heard from past Maccabi participants that it’s a great experience, so I’m also looking forward to that.”
B’nai B’rith Outing A Success
The success of a fundraising golf outing is measured by the bottom line.
So the 36th annual B’nai B’rith Classic, held June 4 at Tam-O-Shanter Country Club in West Bloomfield, was a success.
“We raised more than $30,000,” said tournament chairman David Lubin. “I’ve been chairing this event for about 15 years and I believe this was our best year in terms of funds raised.”
Funds generated by the B’nai B’rith Classic support B’nai B’rith Great Lakes Region activities, the region’s college scholarship program, area B’nai B’rith Youth Organization chapters and Hillel chapters on college campuses in the state.
Three $2,500 scholarships were awarded at the golf outing banquet. which was emceed for the fifth year by Alan Muskovitz. The scholarships went to recent high school graduates Jo Banooni, Jacqueline Bevier and Kyle Peres.
Eighty-four golfers participated in the B’nai B’rith Classic and there were more than 30 sponsors, including event sponsor MJS Packaging. Lubin is president of the Livonia-based company.
On the golf course, the winning team was Jeffrey Tackel, Arthur Powell, Michael Clinton and Jason Clinton. They shot 9-under-par 63.
Second place with a 64 were Neil Bloomberg, Ken Goldberg, Dave Gerber and Howard Genser.
No. 1 At No. 4
Sophomore Jenna Silverman won the Division 1 state championship at No. 4 singles for the Bloomfield Hills High School girls tennis team.
Silverman was the No. 1 seed in her flight at the state tournament and she completed an undefeated season.
Bloomfield Hills scored 28 points at the June 2 state competition at the Greater Midland Tennis Center and finished third in the team standings behind Northville (32) and Midland Dow (30).
Send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.