Maccabi USA Rugby Legacy and Hall of Fame
Doug Coil
Maccabi USA Rugby made its debut at the 1985 World Maccabiah Games where they won the Bronze medal. They have also medaled at each of the subsequent Maccabiah Games. The highlight of the program was winning the Gold medal in 15’s at the 1997 Games. They also won Gold in the first ever 7’s competition during the 2013 Games. A bronze medal was also won in 15’s that year.
The Maccabi USA Rugby is honoring its first Hall of Fame class on March 3rd in Las Vegas, Nevada. The induction is being held in conjunction with the World Rugby Sevens Series and the Las Vegas Invitational Tournament. In the later event, the Maccabi USA Rugby team is a participant in preparation for the 2017 Maccabiah Games.
The induction will have a cocktail reception on Friday, March 3rd and will honor the contributions of Jordan Weinstein, Jeff Simon, Craig Levine and Jeff Ebner.
Shawn Lipman, who was the captain and MVP of the 1997 Gold medal team at the Maccabiah Games, is coaching the 2017 team. He encourages Alumni to connect with this year’s team in Las Vegas in the celebration of Maccabi USA Rugby and its legacy. Attending the Hall of Fame induction and sharing this important event with other that have been part of this legacy should not be missed.
Maccabi USA Rugby Inductees
To prepare for this event, each of the inductees were asked the questions below. They shared their experiences in this collaborative project and approved the final copy. In the case of Jeff Ebner, who is deceased, Steve Finkel who was a teammate of Jeff’s, was instrumental in developing the bio. Jeff’s father Dick and son Nate also contributed in this process.
Interview Questions
1 Tell us about your rugby career. (When did you play, what team or teams did you play for and what were some of your accomplishments?)
2 What are some of your best memories of rugby?
3 In what ways do you maintain your involvement with rugby? Why would you encourage others to be involved?
4 Describe how the key values of rugby – integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect have helped you in the business world?
Jordan Weinstein
Jordan began playing rugby during the Spring 1972 season at the University of Michigan. While running sprints with the freshman football players indoors during the Winter of 1971 – 1972, the rugby team was also practicing indoors. The combination of seeing the practice and spending time with a few rugby friends from South Africa during the previous Summer, piqued his interest and he tried out for rugby that Spring.
At the tryout, he won every sprint and impressed the coaches. That landed him on the A side as a wing against the University of Dayton for the season’s first match to his surprise. During his first touch of the ball during that match, he raced 80 meters for a try, his first of his 18 years in which he played.
As a member of the University of Michigan team, they won the Toronto Sevens, as well as their own Sevens tournament. Individual accomplishments included playing for the Midwest against Ontario.
The University of Michigan had a fierce rivalry with Ohio State and prior to the football game between the teams, thousands of spectators watched the rugby match. During his time at Michigan, the team lost in the Big Ten Championships twice.
Classic matches were also held each year with the Chicago Lions. It was a rivalry that benefited both sides.
After leaving Michigan, Jordan moved to Toronto and played for York University.
In 1979 he returned home to Worcester, Massachusetts and was the co-founder of Worcester Rugby Club where in the early years they were better known for sevens than rugby 15s. That has certainly changed since then. For his contributions to the club, he was inducted in their first Hall of Fame class.
Maccabi USA Rugby, Maccabiah Games and Maccabi World Union
An article in Rugby Magazine caught his attention about a tryout for the first Maccabi USA Rugby squad to play at the 12th World Maccabiah Games in Israel. Head Coach Ray Cornbill selected him to be part of this team and they came home with a bronze medal. Roger Glass, Maccabi USA Rugby Chair, organized the team.
Immediately after the Games, he became a member of the Board of Directors and was appointed Chairman of the USA Maccabiah Rugby for the 13th and 14th World Maccabiah Games in 1989 and 1993. From 1989 to 2013, Weinstein served on the Maccabi USA Executive Committee. He has held numerous national leadership positions, including USA Maccabiah Team Open Sports Chair and he has been an Officer of Maccabi USA from 1993 to 2013, and was the First Vice President from 2009 – 2013. Weinstein was the General Chairman of the USA Maccabiah Organizing Committee from 1998 – 2005, and he was Head of the USA Delegation at the 16th and 17th World Maccabiah Games in 2001 and 2005, respectively.
Weinstein’s leadership with Maccabi World Union, the world Maccabi governing body, is well known. He has been a member of the Maccabi World Union Executive and the International Maccabiah Committee since 1992. He served on Maccabi World Union’s International Maccabiah Sports Committee since its inception in 1994, serving as its Co-Chairman for the 18thand 19th World Maccabiah Games from 2006 through 2013. During his tenure on the committee up to the present, Maccabiah Rugby has been in his portfolio.
His responsibilities with the Maccabi World Union include preparing for the 20th Maccabiah Games in July 2017. This requires preparation at annual meetings in Israel for four years, including part of February and March 2017.
Not only will Jordan be among the first four Hall of Fame inductees for Maccabi USA Rugby, but he will also be honored during the 20th Maccabiah Games for his induction as a “Yakir Maccabi,” the highest honor that the Maccabiah World Union can bestow.
Memories
In addition to Jordan’s rugby playing career, He is particularly proud of the number of new countries that have been added to play rugby at the Maccabiah Games, the inclusion of rugby sevens in 2013 and Juniors in 2013.
He is also nostalgic about the emergence of Maccabi USA Rugby as a USA Rugby force. The team caught the attention of USA Rugby when it shocked the West Territorial Union at the Battle of New Orleans in the early 1990s. This resulted in an invitation for an expanded ITT tournament, which included the four USA Rugby territories, East, Midwest, West and Pacific Coast, the Maccabi USA and Combined Armed Services.
During the 1993 ITT, the selection vehicle for the USA National team, the team won a couple of matches and fielded three Eagles. It also helped the team to prepare for the 14th Maccabiah Games in 1993.
Jordan also can say that he has seen every USA rugby match at the Maccabiah Games since its inception in 1985.
Jordan is proud that all leaders of Maccabi USA Rugby who have followed him, have been players that he has recruited.
In 2010 there was a tribute dinner to honor the 25th anniversary of Maccabi USA Rugby. Jordan was also honored by Maccabi USA for all his contributions. For this event 90% of the players and coaches from 1985 to 2010 attended. Craig Levine spoke and entertained the crowd with his sense of humor, in addition to Jeff Simon, Shawn Lipman, US Olympic swimmer Jason Lezak and Israel’s Ambassador to the US.
Rugby Values
Jordan is passionate about rugby and has helped to develop the legacy of Maccabi USA Rugby. He has been the glue that has fostered the organizational solidarity and leadership for the players that follow. His discipline has assisted in the implementation of an organizational vision. In all levels of his involvement with Maccabi Rugby has gained him the respect of his peers.
Employment
When not working as a devoted volunteer for Maccabi USA, Weinstein is an attorney and the managing partner of Weinstein & Weinstein, P.C. in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Jeff Simon
Jeff began his rugby career at Southern Methodist University on the wing and played on the first ever Texas Collegiate All-Star Team. Upon graduation, Jeff played two years for the Dallas RFC helping them win their first ever Texas Championship and played for the Texas RFU All-Stars. Jeff spent the majority of his rugby career with the Chicago Lions from 1986 to 1994 playing first side at every back position except center. Jeff led them to their first 7’s National Championship appearance in 1990 where he tied for leading try scorer of the tournament and was also MVP of the Lakefront 7’s and Midwest 7’s Championship. Jeff also played in two 15’s final fours with the Lions, one at scrumhalf and one at fullback. Jeff also played a season for Stuttgart RFC and Louisville RFC.
Jeff played on numerous all-star teams over his career and was a USA Eagles 7’s Trialist in 1989 and in the Eagle 7’s pool for 1991-1992. The other select side teams included the Texas Collegiate All-Stars (1984), Texas All-Stars (1985-86), Chicago Area All-Stars (1986-93), Midwest 15’s All-Stars (1989-90), and the Midwest 7’s All-Stars (1988-93).
Maccabi USA Rugby
Jeff’s Maccabi USA Rugby career began with the 1989 World Games where Jeff played Fullback on the Bronze Medal Team. From 1989 to 1993, Jeff played in every single event Maccabi USA Rugby participated in, which included multiple Battle of New Orleans, the Magnificent 7’s in Toronto, the Worcester 7’s, the 1993 ITT’s and the 1991 Pan Am Games in Uruguay where they played the non-Jewish clubs including Old Christians and the Uruguay National Team. In the 1993 World Games, Jeff was vice-captain on the Silver Medal Team where he played Fullback and Scrumhalf.
Jeff retired from Maccabi Rugby after the 1993 Games and immediately moved into an administrative capacity. Jeff coached Maccabi USA Rugby to its first event Gold in 7’s in the 1995 Pam Am Games in Argentina and the second Team won Bronze. Jeff was Head Coach of the 1997 Gold Medal team where they defeated South Africa. Jeff retired from coaching as the only undefeated Maccabi USA Rugby coach to date.
Jeff became Rugby Chairman for the 2001, 2009 and 2013 World Maccabiah Games and the 2002 Australia Carnival Games. Jeff was on the Maccabi USA Board and Executive Committee where Jeff served as Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer. Jeff was an Open Sports Director for the 2005 Games when Jim Calmas was Rugby chairman. During Jeff’s tenure, he arranged the first ever old boy game against the Chicago Area RFU (CARFU) all-stars in 1999. While Jeff currently has no official position with Maccabi USA Rugby, he is committed to its continued success and will help as needed.
Rugby Memories
Having played 14 years of rugby and coached three additional years, there are many great memories. Some of the highlights include:
- Winning the Gold Medal at the 1997 World Maccabiah Games and finally beating South Africa was special.
- The 1990 summer 7’s season with the Chicago Lions as everything clicked and we won several tournaments and made it to Nationals.
- The Chicago Lions toured the UK for the 1991 World Cup and played at Melrose and may have been the best post-match event I attended.
- In my first year with Dallas in 1985, we won the Texas championship beating the defending National Champions, the Dallas Harlequins.
- Some memories elicit feelings of what might have been. During the Semis at the Final Four in 1991 or 1992 with the Lions, the team lost to Washington, a game that should have been won. It was one of the most painful defeats besides losing to South Africa in the Gold Medal Games in 1993.
- The 1988 Cape Fear 7’s tournament playing with Louisville and wearing ridiculous Energizer battery tank tops
- My senior year at Southern Methodist University could not have been more fun and we had a great backline.
Rugby Contributions
After I stopped playing, I coached Maccabi USA Rugby for 3 years and stayed involved as Chairman until 2013. About 4 years ago, I re-engaged myself with my club, the Chicago Lions. It was time for me to give back to the Lions and the formation of our charitable foundation was the best for me. We partnered with Chicago Hope Academy, an inner-city private high school in Chicago serving mostly low-income and minority students. Hope was started by Bob Muzikowski, a former NY Old Blue rugger. We own 8 acres and plan to build a $10 million sports complex on the near west side of Chicago to help inner city youth and promote rugby. We are just about to start our fundraising efforts. This will be a world class facility and hopefully, will host numerous national rugby events in the future.
I always believe in giving back to anything that had an impact on my life. I encourage others to do the same. Rugby had such a profound impact on the trajectory of my path in life that it was a no-brainer for me to give back. Sometimes life gets in the way and now might not be the right time for someone to give back but at some point, that time will come. It took my seventeen years after I retired from the Lions to get back involved because I was raising a family and coaching them in sports.
Rugby is the greatest game and continues to grow in the US with so many more people aware of what rugby is. It’s great to see most people starting to play in high school or middle school today. I just hope this generation of players learns the value of giving back and helping out while being an active player.
Rugby Values
I believe all team sports help you prepare to succeed in the business world since you understand how a high functioning team is more successful than a dysfunctional team. Rugby is the ultimate team sport with many moving parts so those experiences allows an individual to navigate effectively in business and leverage other people’s strengths. One of the greatest things rugby teaches you is to “leave it on the field”. You battle the opposition, but after the game all is forgiven and you share in the post-game match. The “leave it on the field” mentality translates in the business world by allowing an individual to not hold grudges, move on quicker than others and appreciate a competitive work environment. The discipline that I developed in rugby has kept me focused to become successful in whatever job I have held.
Employment
Jeff Simon is the Vice President – Investment Officer at Wells Fargo Advisors in Chicago, Illinois.
Craig Levine
Photo of Craig with his cousin Deb with Gold medal
Craig began his rugby career at San Diego State University where he played between 1988 and 1991. While in California, he attended the Southern California Griffins All American Camp and this resulted in an invitation to play for the Griffins against territorial sides and served as a selection vehicle for the All-Americans.
After graduating, Craig then played with Philadelphia-Whitemarsh during the 1992-93 season before moving to play for Old Blue in New York between 1993 to 2001.
It was with Old Blue that he played most of his club rugby matches. Craig was a leader who leads by example and demeanor. He was a fierce competitor and a relentless worker on the pitch. Old Blue recognized his contributions and his drive and selected him to captain the side from his Hooker position for five years while he played for the club. This consisted of two periods, 1996 through 1998 and again from 2000 through 2001.
Craig was an A side player while playing for Old Blue and led the team to the finals of the first two Super League Championships in 1997 and 1998. Both years proved to be excellent years for the club, as they also went to the USA Men’s Rugby D1 Club Finals, and were the only club in USA Rugby history to have accomplished this double.
Old Blue has been an elite club for some time and has often advanced in national rankings. They were XVs champions for the ERU Northeast (1993-94), NRU (1995-98, in 2000 they reached the final, 2001). They reached the Sweet 16 round of Nationals (1993-98, 2000), the Rugby East Final (1993-94) and the Elite 8 (1993-94, 1996-98).
Craig also was the captain for Old Blue’s two Harp USA SL Eastern Conference Championships in 1997-98 and during the same years he played for the NRU, and captained the side in 1997.
Being on the National and regional stage as a rugby player caught the attention of the Eagles selectors and he joined the Eagles in 1998 as a Hooker.
Maccabi USA Rugby
Craig medaled in four Maccabiah Games for the United States. Three of these were as a player, winning bronze in 1993, gold in 1997 and silver in 2001 where he also captained the team. In 2009 he returned to the squad as the coach and the team emerged with a bronze medal.
In 1995, he was a member of the gold medal winner Maccabi USA Sevens squad at the Pan-Am Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Involvement in rugby provides the opportunity to travel throughout the world and to develop lasting friendships and this was the case while being involved with Maccabi USA.
Not all the memories are on the field. Two made a lasting impression and are vividly remembered.
The first involved assisting a disabled athlete down Masada and upon reaching the bottom, she yelled with her crutches high in the air ‘I just descended Masada!’ The tears and smiles of this memorable event still brings chills to all who were involved.
Another highlight is being able to give the Gold Medal from the 1997 Games to my cousin Deb, who is battling MS and is the real Gold medal winner each and every day. I am fortunate that she is my cousin, a great friend and a real light in my life.
Rugby Contributions
In addition to playing rugby and captaining various sides, Craig was also a coach. He was the coach of the Maccabi USA Rugby 2009 team for the Maccabiah Games. He also coached Old Blue, New York Women’s Rugby Club and the Northeast Rugby Union. He also brought Morris Women’s Rugby Club to their first ever playoffs.
Craig has supported youth rugby as a board member of Play Rugby USA. This organization is led by his close friend, Mark Griffin. This organization fosters youth rugby, but more importantly develops confident, fit, and responsible human beings. Pride is gained in supporting the team as they are building the future with great, productive men and women.
Rugby Values
Rugby is the quintessential sport which builds camaraderie, teamwork, confidence and humility; It is the only sport with a ‘formal’ post-game hand shaking amongst the athletes and coaches. It is about respect of your competitors and the game.
Rugby enhances the notion that ‘no one can do anything of substance without another.’ By learning to work together and as a team, you can accomplish anything.
One comparison to American football would be that you can win many games with a good quarterback, a couple of blockers and a receiver. In rugby you need a true team where everyone has their role. You cannot win by ‘selfish’ play and the so called ‘stars’ and their ego are kept in check by knowing your responsibility and in being part of the whole.
Individual and small minded play equals losing the game, internal struggles and, in the business world, losing money. By putting the team or company first, you build trust, a positive environment, and increase the chances of winning/making profits so everyone benefits.
In short, rugby helps individuals learn to be positive members of a company by ‘knowing their role’, as well as being inclusive and not exclusive.
Employment/Family
Craig is the Business Development Manager at Quest Builders Group, Inc. in New York City. He lives with his beautiful wife Lisa and adorable daughter Bella just outside of NYC in New Jersey.
Jeff Ebner
Photo of Jeff Ebner with son Nate – Shared by his mother Nancy Pritchard
Jeff started his rugby career while at the University of Minnesota in the mid 1970s. His parents divorced when he was young and his mother remarried. This resulted in his name being changed to Bailin. It was under this name that he played for until he changed it back to Ebner when he returned home to Springfield, Ohio in 1978 to work with his father in the family Auto Salvage business.
After graduating college, he moved to Iowa and played for the Des Moines Rugby Club. While there, he represented the Heart of America Rugby Union at the Sub-Unions of the West Territorials.
He then moved to Dallas, Texas where we worked for a painting company and played for the Dallas Harlequins. His select side rugby continued for the Texas Rugby Union at the Sub-Unions of the West Territorials in Greeley, Colorado. Although he was not selected to represent the West, he had established himself as an intense, hard hitting inside center.
In 1978 he returned to his hometown of Springfield, Ohio and initially played for the Dayton Rugby Club. He soon left to play with the Division 1 Scioto Valley Rugby Club in 1979. This was the club where he shared an intense allegiance and played first side rugby there for over twenty years until approximately 2002. At the club, was captain, President, and was instrumental in the club obtaining a clubhouse. Not many clubs had a clubhouse during this period, so that also attracted other excellent players to the club.
Jeff was one of many outstanding rugby players with the club and contributed to Scioto Valley becoming one of the top five clubs in the Midwest and in competing in many Midwest championship finals. They did so for four consecutive years from 1982 through 1985.
Jeff represented the Ohio Sub Union team in the early 1980s, was invited to the Midwest camp, but ultimately was not selected for the squad.
Jeff was a versatile player who played rugby 15s and 7s. He helped Scioto Valley also to become a rugby sevens force during the 1980s. They often were the Ohio Sevens Champions. They also made the Can Am Finals both years they participated.
Maccabi USA Rugby
Although he initially was considering trying out for the Maccabi USA Rugby team in 1985, his club, Scioto Valley was involved in the quest to move beyond making the Sweet 16s. His allegiance to the club influenced his decision to help the club.
By 1989 circumstances changed and he tried out for the Maccabi USA Rugby team and was selected. The team played well and came away from the Games with a bronze medal.
Jordan Weinstein, who was rugby chairperson for Maccabi USA Rugby described him as one of the hardest hitting rugby players. “He hit like a freight train, although he was about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed about 190 pounds. He played much larger.” At the breakdowns, he was the first there and when he had the ball it was not lost.
Jeff was selected for the Maccabi USA Rugby Pan-Am squad in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1991. There the team played against the Uruguay National team, the Old Christians (whose team’s plight was told in the book Alive), and the Carrasco Polo Club who were the National Club champions at the time.
In the mid 1990s, Jeff played in the Magnificent Sevens tournament in Toronto.
Rugby Contributions and Values
Jeff played rugby with a passion. He was the consummate team player who was dedicated to the sport and promoted solidarity among players. His leadership through example gained him the respect of his peers.
Jeff was former USA Rugby Eagle Steve Finkel’s best man at his wedding. He played with him for many years at Scioto Valley and remains close to Jeff’s family. Steve described him “as a tough midfielder (inside center), who made others around him better.” His fierce hitting factored into the team’s game plan of stopping the opposition from getting the ball to the wing.
Jeff’s contributions with Scioto Valley as a player, captain and President were rewarded in 2005 when he was inducted in the club’s initial class for the Hall of Fame. During his induction speech, he described that “his greatest legacy was his son Nate.”
Jeff involved Nate with the club playing touch rugby as a youth. Nate then played his first rugby match with the club at age 13 in a B side match as a wing. Later Jeff became Nate’s rugby coach at Hilliard Davidson High School.
Nate was his workout partner, his friend and his legacy. Jordan Weinstein confirmed this as he had many conversations with Jeff about Nate’s accomplishments.
Unfortunately, Jeff’s time with Nate, family and friends was cut short. While at work at the family business, he was assaulted by three men on November 13, 2008 and died the next day from a head injury.
Jeff did not get the opportunity to see his son play football for the New England Patriots or to become a member of Team USA playing rugby at the Olympics. He did maximize time with his son and his influence continues today with the values learned and drive that continues with Nate today.
Conclusion
While some of the details concerning Jeff Ebner’s rugby career are incomplete and rely on the memories of others, he was a tough player, a winner, an excellent father and friend. He will always be remembered by those who knew him for his passion, leadership and friendship.
Maccabi USA Rugby, The Legacy Continues
The Maccabi USA Rugby team will represent the United States at the 20th Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 6-17, 2017. Over 7000 athletes from over 75 countries will compete at the Games.
At the 2013 Games, the USA team finished with a Gold medal in the inaugural rugby sevens competition, while earning a Bronze medal in 15’s. The 2017 Games will include both competitions, as well as include the addition of Junior rugby 15’s and 7’s. The Juniors will be coached by Head Coach Greg Schor Haskin, while the Men by Shawn Lipman.
To be considered for the Maccabi USA Rugby team, players must be Jewish rugby players that are age 17, born 1999-2000 for the Juniors competition and 18 and older for the Men’s Open.
Maccabi USA Rugby is an elite rugby program that has medaled at every World Maccabiah Games, since rugby’s inclusion in 1985. For any given year, the composition of the team includes international and professional players, Olympians, as well as some of the best club and college players in the country.
With this in mind, Shawn Lipman shared his thoughts in a USA Rugby article (April 25, 2016) that “Every Maccabiah Games is different and yet very much the same. It was a tremendous honor being part of Team USA Rugby and experiencing this life defining event with a new generation of athletes. It is truly something that words cannot describe. It was extraordinary to see how the Games impacted the lives of each member of Team USA Rugby. The recognition of themselves as Jewish athletes and the pride in representing their country was just the same as I felt in my first Games almost 30 years before.” Note, Shawn was a member of the Gold Medal team from South Africa at the 1985 Maccabiah Games.
To prepare for the 20th Maccabiah Games, an East Coast combine was held June 11, 2016 at Saratoga, N.Y. This was held in collaboration with the Northeast Rugby Academy, an Olympic Development Academy. On the same day, a USA Rugby Tracking Camp was held in Utah and provided opportunities for selection.
Players were then selected to participate at the Can Am Rugby Tournament at Saranac Lake, N.Y. and at the Aspen, Rugggerfest in Colorado in October.
In assessing team performance after Aspen, Lipman discussed with USA Rugby (Oct. 4, 2016 article) that he focused on assessing players against professional and international players at the 49th Aspen Ruggerfest. Also of concern was developing the team culture and chemistry, developing players and team patterns, and the playing approach.
The team finished fourth at the tournament and this “provided a measurement of where they stand and what improvements may be made. The team has also made great strides in improving their strength and conditioning. This can be attributed primarily to their participation in the Volt Athletics strength training program.”
The next time the players will gather are at the Las Vegas Invitation tournament, March 2-4, 2017. After that event, there is a plan to conduct a training camp May 26-29th and hopefully include a fixture against a PRO Rugby team. On June 25-27, the team will reconnect in Israel for a camp just prior to the 20th Maccabiah Games begin on July 6.
Maccabi USA Rugby team 2017
Alex Appel (Mystic River), Andrew Berson (Dartmouth), Jack Braun (Dartmouth), Jared Braun (Olympic Club), Joel Cohen (Chicago Lions), Shawn Cox (Austin Huns), Elliot Dillon-Herzog (Ponsonby – NZ), Jon Feldman (Mystic River), Marcos Flegmann (Mystic River), Taylor Howden (PRO Rugby – Ohio Aviators), Devin Ibanez (Glenfield – NZ), Isaac Katz (Philadelphia Whitemarsh), Mike Korn (New England College), Tanner Mohr (Olympic Club), Devin Pearl (Buffalo), Ben Rotstein (Glendale Raptors), Mikey Rudzinsky (Mystic River), Matthew Sarna (Rocky Gorge), Spencer Sarver (San Francisco Golden Gate), Chase Schor Haskin (Atlantis Rugby), Robbie Shaw (PRO Rugby – Ohio Aviators), Dallen Stanford (Tiger Rugby), Zach Strom (Glendale Raptors), Kevin Swiryn (Men’s Eagles Sevens), Zack Test (Men’s Eagles Sevens), Roman Wilson (Glenfield – NZ).
About the organization:
Maccabi USA (MUSA) is a federally-recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, and the Pan American and European Maccabi Games, as well as a sponsor of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America. As the official Maccabi representative in the U.S., Maccabi USA supports Jewish athletic endeavors, enhanced by cultural and educational activities in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora.
MUSA develops, promotes and supports international, national and regional athletic-based activities and facilities. It strives to provide Jewish athletes the world over the opportunity to share their heritage and customs in competitive athletic settings. MUSA supports programs that embody the Maccabi ideals of Jewish Continuity, Zionism and Excellence in Sport. Maccabi USA Builds Jewish Pride Through Sports.
Maccabi USA has been selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) as a Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The nonprofit organization becomes one of 35 MSOs nationwide to be recognized by the USOC for its ability to cultivate a national interest in sport and increase opportunities for participation internationally, nationally and at the grassroots level.
