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Hugs, tears and gold medals wrap up the largest JCC Maccabi Games.

LONNY GOLDSMITH
Staff Writer

he 3,200 athletes heard TV sports
anchor Jim Berk at the JCC Maccabi
Games closing ceremonies speaking
I from a portable stage behind the Kahn
Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield.
But most of those who gathered Sunday
morning were more concerned about saying their
tearful goodbyes to newfound friends from
around the world, thanking their host families
and trading what was left of their home-team
clothing.
"The purpose of the games," Berk told the
athletes, coaches, host families, volunteers and
supporters, "is to strengthen Jewish affiliation
and have a whole lot of fun!"
He added: "The games represent the goals,
leadership and ideals of our future Jewish leaders
around the world."
In addition to the number of athletes — a
record or one site for a Maccabi Games — 650
coaches, 1,250 host families and 1,000 volunteers
helped pull off the Detroit event.
"I think if you put in perspective the purpose
of the games and who they're done for, it was
very successful," said Dr. Alan Horowitz, the
games' general chairman.
Maccabi, Horowitz said, brought Jewish teen-
agers together and brought the Detroit Jewish
community together.
"Our volunteers," he added, "we couldn't have
done it without them. They went above and
beyond the call."
On the logistical side, he said "it worked pret-
ty well. There were some things I would do dif-
ferently, but it's a monumental task to move
3,700 people."
Horowitz had shared the general chairmanship
with Jay Robinson, who had been instrumental
in organizing the games when the community
hosted in 1984 and 1990. Robinson died in
April, but that only strengthened the resolve of
the Detroit volunteers -- many recruited by
Robinson — to put on the games.
"He was the reason they kept going and many
found strength in that," Horowitz said.
A memorial for Robinson had been planned
for the opening ceremonies at the Palace of
Auburn Hills on Aug. 16, but was cut when the

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1998

22 Detroit Jewish News