Maccabi An Amazing Event Zachary Silver T2T Extra Writer T he experience of playing at the 2007 JCC Maccabi Games in Orange County Calif., is one I will never forget. I have played ice hockey since I was 9; you could say that hockey is my passion. When it was suggested that I try out for the Maccabi in-line hockey team, I really didn't know what I was getting into. I was glad to be picked for the team and my parents were excited for me to have a Jewish experience. To be honest, I didn't understand how playing hockey could be a Jewish experience, but I was about to find out. The opening ceremonies were the first time I really began to realize how this was also about being Jewish. Walking around the arena and seeing all the ath- letes and coaches, I remember thinking I had never seen so many Jews in one place in my life. The presentation about the Munich Olympics made me proud to be Jewish, but it also made me realize that we all have a responsibility to make sure this horrible event is never forgotten. A realization I had while at the Games is that no matter how different all the athletes might be in terms of language, location and what our interests are, we Sarah Richard, 15, center, is flanked by her friends and teammates, Rachel Barth, 16, and Danielle Kramer, 15, all of Oak Park and all Berkley High School students. In-line hockey player Zachary Silver in Orange County. are connected in a way that goes back in history. While we might have been rivals on the playing fields, there is a deeper connection that exists. Even though I have heard that before, I think I under- stand it now in a much deeper way. Unfortunately, I am now too old to play in the Maccabi Games. I really want to stay involved with the Games, however, by possibly being a goalie coach. I will be involved in next year's Games here in Detroit, for sure. I have now learned how to make playing sports a Jewish experi- ence. Zachary Silver, 16, of Southfield is an 11th- grader at Birmingham Groves High School in Beverly Hills. He attends Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park. Sarah Richard T2T Extra Writer T he most significant impact of the 2007 JCC Maccabi Games was the strengthening of my Jewish iden- tity through my meeting so many people from all over the world, all sharing the same religion. Attending the games is a blast and although I love playing soccer, Maccabi is more than just playing sports. Even though, in the last three years, our soccer team hasn't won one game, we still had an amaz- ing time playing and meeting people. The 2008 JCC Maccabi Games will be my fourth and last year as an athlete. But I expect that I will remain friends with some of the people I have met through the Games for the rest of my life. I still keep in contact with a couple of people I met my first year. During the 2007 Games, I became very close with about 10 people with whom I currently communicate almost daily. The Games have changed my life. Because of them, I have a much broader sense of our Jewish community. I am very sad that next year will be my last year as an athlete at the JCC Maccabi Games. I expect to remain involved with the Games into the future. I am very excited that Detroit will host the 2008 Games next year; it will defi- nitely be an unforgettable week. Not only do I plan to play soccer in 2008, Karen Gordon, the director of next year's Games, and Lindsey Fox, the assistant director, have asked me to be co-chair for the Teen Leadership Committee along with my friend and teammate, Allison August. I encourage others to participate in the Games, whether it be playing a sport or vol- unteering, such as housing athletes, which my family is doing. 1-1 Sarah Richard, 15, of Oak Park is a 10th-grader at Berkley High School. She attends Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park. Eagle Scout Vorenberg earns highest BSA honor. E ric Michael Vorenberg, 18, a freshman at the University of Michigan, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He is the son of Barb and Thomas Vorenberg of Farmington Hills and a grad- uate of North Farmington High School, where he ran track and played football. He also was a member of BBYO. His Eagle Scout project was to raise funds, purchase and build benches and planters for a garden at the Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield. Vorenberg joined Cub Scouts in first grade. Though his friends dropped out in middle school, he decided to stick with the Scouting program. 50 October 11 • 2007 "This decision was one of the best I've made in my life he said. "I would not be the same person if I had not stayed in Scouts. The people I have met, the experi- ences I have had and the lessons I have learned will stick with me for the rest of my life:' At U-M, he is studying political science, concentrating on public policy and U.S. politics and business administration. At the same, he also enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program, where he can utilize and hone his prior leadership skills. After he earns his undergraduate degree, Vorenberg plans to go to graduate school to earn a law degree so he can enter into the JAG Corps of the Air Force. Fl Eric Vorenberg: The lessons I have learned will stick with me the rest of my life.'