Photos: Guilderland Welcomes the World to the Maccabi Games
Athletes from three countries and many states converged on the Capital Region this week to compete in the 2017 JCC Maccabi Games, an Olympic-style competition for Jewish teenagers ages 13 to 16. Six-hundred athletes from Israel and Mexico as well as the United States are competing in soccer, golf, basketball, baseball, tennis, and swimming. Events are being held at the high schools in Guilderland and Voorheesville, at the Bethlehem YMCA, at the Colonie Country Club, the Western Turnpike Golf Course, and at Keenholts Park.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
The celebration started on Sunday evening at the Times Union Center in Albany for the opening ceremonies. The delegation from Israel wave their Israeli flags as they march onto the floor of the arena.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Latino feel: The colorful delegation from Mexico doffed their sombreros.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
The pageantry included a Jewish dance while the Maccabeats performed.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Then the torch was lit by the people who brought the games to the Capital Region for the first time.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
After the Sunday-night ceremony, the athletes showed off their skills on the field and on the court Monday in Guilderland. The combined team of Ohio/Albany-Schenectady faced off against Mexico (blue) in the 14-and-under seven-on-seven soccer at Guilderland High School. The combined team lost, 8 to 1, after Nathaniel Snider of Niskayuna, on the right, scored the team’s lone goal.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Battling hard: Tomer Zilberberg from Delmar of the combined team of Ohio and Albany-Schenectady faced off with a team from Mexico in the 14-and-under boys’ soccer matchup in the Maccabi Games held at Guilderland High School on Monday morning. The team of Ohio/Albany-Schenectady lost to Mexico, 8-1.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
The team of Albany-Schenectady 16-and-under girls’ basketball played against Israel. The American team had a tough time scoring in the 58-to-20 loss. Susan Lord, from Slingerlands scored 18 of her team’s 20 points.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Looking to shoot: Albany-Schenectady’s Rebecca Shechter looks toward the hoop during the first half in the 16-and-under girls’ basketball game against Israel in the JCC Maccabi Games. Albany-Schenectady lost to Israel, 58 to 20, on Monday morning.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
“We are one large Mishpachah,” says Adam Chaskin, executive director of the Sidney Albert Jewish Community Center at the opening ceremony of the JCC Maccabi Games Sunday at the Times Union Center in Albany. The Maccabi Games are an Olympic-style competition for Jewish teenagers ages 13 to 16.