Gabriella Serure
The Power Of The
Maccabiah Games
A
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September 12 • 2013
foreign trip is an unforgetta-
get a particular "rush" as they walk
ble adventure. It often spurs
out of the tunnel of the national soc-
the imagination. It allows
cer stadium in front of 40,000-plus
individuals the opportunity to explore
fans, carrying the colors of the nation
the world and its many cultures. It is
they represent as part of the Opening
an educational experience.
Ceremonies Parade of Nations.
Many University of Michigan stu-
They also had a chance to be part of
dent-athletes and varsity teams have
more than just a team as they visited
the opportunity to compete
some of the most important
on the international stage.
religious sites in the world.
Others, like women's track
Jerusalem is considered
athlete Erin Busbee and
a holy city by three major
religions: Judaism, Islam
men's basketball player
and Christianity. In the "Old
Jordan Morgan, make a
commitment as part of an
City:' the walls define the
Jewish, Muslim, Christian
educational endeavor or as
a volunteer for a charitable
and Armenian quarters
organization.
— all within less than one-
half square mile. In the
And then there are those
few who get to make an
midst of these quarters is
Dave B randon
international trip to com-
the Western Wall, one of
Special to the
pete while exploring their
the most important and
Jewish News
own culture.
frequently visited religious
sites in all of Judaism.
In July, the Maccabiah
Games were held in Israel. Referred
The athletes had an opportunity
to as the Jewish Olympics, this event
to be on three borders. They went to
is held every four years and is open
the Golan Heights bordering Syria.
to all individuals of the Jewish faith
They visited the Dead Sea that borders
as well as Israeli athletes regardless of
Jordan, and they were at the "Blue
religion.
Line" — the border between Lebanon
Former and current U-M student-
and Israel demarcated by the United
athletes: Danielle Tauro (women's
Nations in 2000.
They could hear the shelling in
track & field), Gabriella Serure (water
polo), Stu Douglass (men's basketball), Syria, and they witnessed the Israeli
Billy Jaffe, Zach Hyman, Spencer
Air Force on patrol. Those real-life
Hyman (ice hockey) and current direc- experiences brought to life history of
tor of hockey operations Josh Richelew the Israeli wars and border confronta-
made the trip to Israel.
tions.
For many of these individuals, it was
There is a wide world to explore,
a chance to identify with other athletes with endless opportunities to learn
who enjoy sports and have the same
and contribute. The event is a triumph
religious beliefs — something that is
of not only competition but also of
rare in Division I sports. They have
community. This shared experience
an opportunity to see their religious
is special. This is the power of the
homeland, understand the history of
Maccabiah Games.
the country and the recognition of
their religion from ancient times.
Dave Brandon is the University of Michigan
director of athletics. This story first
Just like the Olympics, those mem-
appeared on his blog mgoblue.com/brandon.
bers representing each country must
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