Atlanta Sending 14 to Maccabiah Games
Fourteen athletes and coaches from Atlanta will represent the United States in the 20th World Maccabiah Games this summer in Israel.
David R. Cohen is the former Associate Editor of the Atlanta Jewish Times. He is originally from Marietta, GA and studied Journalism at the University of Tennessee.
Fourteen athletes and coaches from Atlanta will take part in the 20th World Maccabiah Games this summer in Israel, joining more than 10,000 Jewish athletes from 80 countries competing in more than 40 sports. Taking place every four years in Israel, the Maccabiah Games are the third-largest sporting event in the world.
Atlanta is sending 11 athletes, two coaches and one accommodations manager to Israel for the games from July 4 to 17.
To compete, U.S. athletes must raise $8,000 to $11,000 to support Maccabi USA. See the capsules for individual athletes to find out how to help them meet their fundraising goals.
Athletes
Brooke Koblitz
Sport: Open track and field
Age: 24
Current team: none
Highest level of competition: High School (Centennial), College (UGA)
Awards or championships: Georgia high school state champion in the 1,600 meters
Fundraising: bit.ly/2oyiKHl
Most exciting part of Maccabiah: “There’s nothing more exciting to me than the combination of being able to represent the USA, running track and doing that in Israel with thousands of other athletes. I feel so lucky to have the chance to compete on an international stage after I thought my competitive running career was over when I graduated from UGA.”
Zachary Fisher
Sport: Open swimming
Age: 22
Current team: University of Pennsylvania varsity
Highest level of competition: College
Awards or championships: Three-time Ivy League championship team member; 2015 50 freestyle finalist
Fundraising: Send a check with “Zach Fisher” in the memo line to Maccabi USA, 1511 Walnut St., Suite 401, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
Most exciting part of Maccabiah: “I am really looking forward to representing Team USA in Israel. This experience combines my passion for swimming with my passion for Israel, and I look forward to celebrating Jewish athletes from all over the world. This also gives me an opportunity to take ownership of my training like a professional would.”
Andrew Winton
Sport: Open swimming
Age: 17
Current team: Swim Atlanta
Highest level of competition: High School (Collins Hill), U.S. Olympic Trials
Awards or championships: Eagle Scout, high school All-America, 6A state champion in 100 breaststroke, 2017 Gwinnett County Swimmer of the Year
Fundraising: support.maccabiusa.com/goto/AndrewWinton
Most exciting part of Maccabiah: “I’m looking forward to the atmosphere and opportunity to meet new people from around the world while representing the United States in my first international competition.”
Leah Marks
Sport: Open equestrian
Age: 24
Current stable: Ellenwood Equestrian Center
Highest level of competition: Intermediate 1 open division (professional)
Awards or championships: U.S. Dressage Federation bronze and silver medals with horse Dartagnan, champion and reserve champion at USDF regional championships
Fundraising: bit.ly/2oynnAW
Most exciting part of Maccabiah: “It has been a lifelong dream of mine to be able to represent my country riding in an international competition. The World Maccabiah Games present a unique opportunity to meet other Jewish athletes from all over the globe and tour Israel. This intrigued me the moment I heard about the games. The combination of reaching a personal dressage dream — riding for Team USA while celebrating my Jewish heritage — will truly be an honor.”
Brent Rodgers
Sport: Juniors soccer
Age: 16
Current team: Weber School
Highest level of competition: JCC Maccabi Games
Awards or championships: Gold medal in 2015 JCC Maccabi Games, captain of Team Atlanta
Fundraising: bit.ly/2odf6qV
Most exciting part of Maccabiah: “Being able to compete in the 20th Maccabiah Games is a chance of a lifetime. I have the opportunity to represent the United States of America, the Weber School, my community and my family while learning about the Jewish culture and heritage alongside Jewish athletes from around the world, in Israel.”
Jason Aspes
Sport: Masters basketball
Age: 45
Highest level of competition: High school (Riverwood)
Fundraising: “Be sure to support the younger athletes.”
Most exciting part of Maccabiah: “To represent your country and your religion is incredibly special. To still be healthy enough to do it at this age is just icing on the cake.”
Scott Alterman
Sport: Masters basketball
Age: 45
Current team: Marcus JCC rec league
Highest level of competition: High school
Awards or championships: First-team All-County in high school
Most exciting part of Maccabiah: “Meeting new people, hanging out in Israel and playing in a high-level sports competition in a game I love. My body is beginning to break down, so this gives me something to train for. I look forward to leaving my jersey in our homeland and retiring … for good, this time.”
Ari Berliner
Sport: Open judo
Age: 18
Current club: Atlanta Judo Midtown
Highest level of competition: International competition
Awards or championships: Bronze medal in 2016 national championships; three bronze and one silver in international competition
Will Feldman
Sport: Open fencing
Current team: Duke fencing
Highest level of competition: College
Emily Duner
Sport: Open soccer
Current team: Northwestern club soccer
Highest level of competition: High school (Weber), 2015 Pan American Maccabiah Games
Awards or championships: 2015 and 2016 Weber soccer team captain
Allison Chernow
Sport: Open basketball
Age: 19
Current team: Emory University basketball
Highest level of competition: College
Awards or championships: 2016 first-team All-Conference (high school), four-time Suburban One American Conference champion (high school)
Coaches and Staff
Daniel Kaufman
Assistant coach
Sport: Baseball
Age: 32
Coaching since age: 18
Current team: Team Atlanta in JCC Maccabi Games
Highest level of competition as player: Emory University baseball and Tel Aviv Lightning (Israel Baseball League)
Awards or championships: Two silver medals and a bronze medal playing at JCC Maccabi Games, multiple gold medals coaching at JCC Maccabi Games, All-Star pitcher in the Israel Baseball League in 2007
Most exciting part of Maccabiah: “I’m looking forward to the experience of helping represent the United States in a worldwide gathering of top Jewish athletes. I’m also looking forward to getting back to Israel (fourth time going) to reconnect with some old friends.”
Brian Seitz
Assistant coach
Sport: Men’s youth basketball (17-18)
Age: 43
Coaching since age: 22
Highest level of competition as player: High school
Most exciting part of Maccabiah: “Representing the USA at the 20th Maccabiah Games in Israel will be the highlight of my coaching and sports career. It has been a dream
since I was a young coach to work with the best Jewish athletes in the country. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Kenny Silverboard
Accommodations manager
Involvement: Third trip with Maccabi USA as accommodations manager (2013 Maccabiah, 2011 Pan American Maccabiah)
Most exciting part of Maccabiah: “I had goosebumps walking into the opening ceremonies in 2013. When they started singing ‘Hatikvah’ with 40,000 people in that stadium, it was spine-tingling. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Georgia at the Games
Since 2005, 94 athletes from Georgia have represented the United States at the World Maccabiah Games. In 2013, the Georgian delegation consisted of 28 athletes and accommodations manager Kenny Silverboard.
2013 Games
Joshua Doman, juniors tennis
Noa Allen, juniors fencing
Ariel Allen, open fencing
Michael Berger, masters triathlon
David Cohen, men’s open rugby
Stephanie Falcon, open tennis
Samantha Findling, women’s open softball
Halle Friedman, open swimming
Benjamin Glauser, open track and field
Johanna Goldblatt, juniors swimming
Rachel Goldblatt, juniors swimming
Scott Holtz, masters triathlon
Morgan Kosterlitz, open beach volleyball
Ryan Landy, masters triathlon
Elias Levy, juniors swimming
Itzhak Levy, masters table tennis
Megan Light, women’s open softball
Joshua Merlis, men’s open basketball
Jenna Nurik, open tennis
Danielle Paz, women’s open soccer
Meryl Romeu, open 10-pin bowling
Benjamin Rothschild, open cycling
Warren Russ, men’s open soccer
Nicholas Salinger, open futsal
Ryan Salmon, open swimming
Garett Schwartz, juniors ice hockey
Aaron Shiffman, boys’ juniors soccer
Aaron Simon, men’s youth basketball
Kenny Silverboard, accommodations manager
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