Health & Fitness SPORTS Down Under Local athletes to represent America at Maccabi Australia. F or two members of the Metro Detroit Jewish community, the end of 2010 marks the beginning of a sports dream come true. They will be the only two athletes from Michigan competing in the Maccabi Australia International Games. Held at the same venues in Sydney that hosted the 2000 Olympic Games, athletes from Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden and Venezuela will join the American team competing in eight sports in what organizers call "a festival of sport, fun and friendship." It begins Dec. 26. The games include divisions for youth, 18-34-year-old athletes and those 35+. Lyle Wolberg of Huntington Woods was selected to compete as a member of the United States Golf Team. Wolberg is a certi- fied financial planner who is a partner and senior adviser at Southfield-based Telemus LIGG australia Capital Partners, LLC. A longtime competi- tive golfer and past club champion at Franklin Hills Country Club in Farmington Hills, this will be Wolberg's first interna- tional competition. Lyle Wolberg "To represent both the Detroit Jewish community and the United States at an international event is a true honor and privilege,' said Wolberg. "When I take to the course in Sydney, I'll be golfing for my community and my country and I expect the feeling on that first tee to be powerful:' At the Maccabi Australia International Games, the United States Golf Team will compete against Argentina, Australia and Scotland in a "President's Cup" format, simi- lar to the Ryder Cup matches. Michael Fishman of Birmingham is the Michael Fishman other Michigan athlete who will be competing in Sydney. He is a mem- ber of the United States Men's Masters' Basketball Team, of which he is the chair. He has played as a member of that team at six previous international competitions and has won three medals. All U.S. teams at the games are organized via Maccabi USA, which has an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The organization is the official sponsor of the United States teams at the World Maccabiah Games, the Pan American Maccabi Games and the Maccabi competi- tions in Europe and Australia, as well as a co- founder 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. "To be able to travel to Australia, meet people from all over the world, play golf and celebrate my faith and pride in my country is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,' said Wolberg."I'm very lucky to be able to be a part of it:' ❑ Group's Journey Through Cancer oin facilitator Jodie Jacobs, LMSW, for inspiration, sup- port and encouragement on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. The next meetings will be 5-6:30 p.m. Jan. 12 and 26, These are for peo- ple 18 and older that have been recently diagnosed with cancer, are in treatment or have just completed treatment. Signup is required 48 hours in advance. Contact the Robert Sosnick Family Life Center at (248) 661-5700 or rsflc@temple-israel.org . ❑ SUN DANCE SHOES INVITES YOU TO SPEND CHRISTMAS DAY SHOPPING WITH US TO GET YOUR BEST SELECTION OF UGG° DECEMBER 25TH 2010 11:30 AM TO 4PM uggaustralia.com 6915 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD • WEST BLOOMFIELD 48322 • On the Boardwalk • 248.737.9059 December 23 2010 39