International & NPF

MACCABI USA ANNOUNCES THE OPEN WOMEN’S SOFTBALL TEAM

Philadelphia, PA, February 27, 2017 – The Maccabi USA Women’s Softball Chairman, Jay Gelman along with Head Coach Nicky Arias and Assistant Coach Emily Bliss are pleased to announce the Open Women’s Softball Team for the 20th World Maccabiah Games, which will take place July 4-18, 2017 in Israel. Maccabi USA will bring a team of 1,100+ athletes who will join the 8,750 Jewish athletes from 80 countries, participating in 43 different sports.

The athletes are Maren Angus of Hendersonville, TN, Station Camp High School; Rachel Barker of West Hills, CA, Humboldt State University; Rebecca Blitz of Birmingham, AL, Indiana University; Cori Coleman of Burr Ridge, IL, Brandeis University (’15); Brittany Gelman of Ambler, PA, Emory University; Jenny Goldsher of Highland Park, IL, Highland Park High School; Ellen Goldstein of Doylestown, PA, Ursinus College (’15); Kennedy Haynes of Carmel, IN, University of Dayton (’16); Summer Horowitz of Briarcliff Manor, NY, Tufts University; Claire Klausner of Stanford, CA, Princeton University; Rachel Paris of Venice, CA, Yale University; Tamara Statman of Phoenix, AZ, University of Arizona; and Noa Yakir of Cupertino, CA, California Polytechnic State University.

Since 1932, over 62,000 athletes have participated in the Maccabiah Games, in a celebration of Jewish Strength and Solidarity. Team USA’s success is not only measured by the medals won, but by the impact that the Maccabiah experience had on their lives as well as the friendships they formed.

Maccabi USA builds Jewish pride through sports, generating the emotional intensity, high ideals, and powerful camaraderie of competition.  We connect athletes, volunteers, and supporters with the global Jewish community.  Our athletic, educational, and cultural experiences build Jewish identity, perpetuate Jewish continuity worldwide, and strengthen support for the State of Israel.

For more information, please contact Open Women’s Softball Coach Nicky Arias at maccabiusasoftball@gmail.com, or Maccabi USA Program Director Shane Carr at 215-561-6900 or by email at scarr@maccabiusa.com.

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 all over the world 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.

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