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May 22, 2009
A gala for Maccabiah
Largest-ever B.C. delegation will be competing.
BLAIR KAPLAN
One hundred and eighty friends, family and supporters gathered at the Richmond Country Club last week for the Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction to help raise funds for the 49 proud and enthusiastic athletes, coaches and medical personnel. Throughout the evening, there was a common theme: experience.
This experience is the combination of sport and religion. The pairing has created a staple in the world's athletic community. In 1932, the first Maccabiah Games was held. Since then, every four years, Jewish athletes from around the world transform the land of milk and honey into a land of athleticism and reconnection.
This year, on July 13, the 18th Maccabiah Games will once again be held in Israel and 49 of the athletes, medical staff and coaches will be from British Columbia. This group will be the largest delegation the province has ever sent and their journey, as part of the Canadian Team, would not be possible without the help from the community.
The May 11 gala was emceed by sports broadcaster Shane Foxman, who provided laughs throughout the evening while announcing the speakers, keynote speakers and the score of the Canucks hockey game. The event was organized by a team of volunteers, led by Janine Krinkler, the dinner committee chair, and Elana Gold, the silent auction committee chair. There were more than 135 items for bid in the auction, one of them being Vancouver Canucks captain and goalie Roberto Luongo's hockey jersey.
Jack Serlin, vice-president of Canada's Maccabi board, spoke about the importance of the games and the "significance of bringing young Jewish athletes to Israel to experience Judaism in a sporting environment." This very idea is what connected Benjamin Winograd to the Maccabiah Games.
Winograd will be representing British Columbia on the Canadian men's softball team in his first Maccabiah experience. While attending Hebrew University in Israel a few years ago, he reconnected with Judaism. Upon returning to Richmond, B.C., he continued to play baseball, a sport he loves. Because of his teammates telling him about the Maccabiah Games, Winograd was presented with the "opportunity to go back and play baseball," which became the "ultimate dream connection," combining his religion with a sport he loves. After this year's competition, he said, he'll "hopefully keep participating in the Maccabiah Games."
There will be 420 Canadians participating in the chai (18th) year of the Maccabiah Games. Alongside the 48 other members from the British Columbia delegation will be Danny Zack, who first competed in the 1973 games.
Two prominent female figures in the Jewish community, Allison McNeil, a basketball coach, and Karen James, a swimmer, were keynote speakers at the dinner. They shared their stories and memories of the Maccabiah Games when they were involved.
James first went to the games at the age of 12, in 1965. She was able to "connect with Jewish athletes from around the world," and this drew her back multiple times. Throughout her professional swimming career, she said she had many heartfelt experiences that connected her to Judaism and that sculpted her into the strong woman she is today.
The Maccabiah Games allow athletic members of the Jewish community to participate in an international sporting event, connect with their Jewish faith and engage in a life-changing opportunity. The organizers of the fundraiser said that their efforts to raise money to help send the 49 B.C. athletes to Israel will continue until the games begin.
Blair Kaplan is a freelance journalist from Vancouver who has a diverse background in communications. For more information, visit www.blairkaplan.ca.
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