ChristianPress.com - Your Christian News Authority - 'Jewish Olympics' welcomes 7,000 athletes

Todays is : Friday, 30 July 2010

'Jewish Olympics' welcomes 7,000 athletes

Written by Administrator

Wednesday, 15 July 2009 16:42

Opening ceremony of the 'Jewish Olympics' (photo via ICEJ).

ISRAEL (ANS) -- Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were on hand Monday to welcome the 7,000 Jewish athletes gathered from Israel and 65 different countries to participate in the 'Jewish Olympics.'

The 18th edition of the Maccabiah Games officially kicked off in Israel on Monday evening at the National Stadium in Ramat Gan.

"Our brothers and sisters from every continent, from North America, from Europe, from Africa, South America, from Asia and from Australia, you come here representing 65 different countries, but above all, you represent one united nation, the nation of Israel," Netanyahu said, according to a report from the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ).

"I thank you for coming, I thank you for participating, but I ask you to do one more thing. I ask that you make aliya. This is your country, this is your home."

Peres told the assembled athletes and supporters that, "the Maccabiah is a festival for the whole of Israel. you are a blessing for Israel. You are an example to us all."

ICEJ explains that the Maccabiah Games, which have the dual purpose of building links between Israel and Jews in the Diaspora and showcasing Jewish athletes, were started in 1932 and named after Judas Maccabeus, who led a Jewish revolt against Greek occupation in 167 BC. Ironically, one of his biggest complaints was over Greek sports, which he said corrupted the Jewish nation.

"They are held in Israel every four years and are recognized by the International Olympic Committee as well as being one of the five largest sporting events in the world," ICEJ reported.

The opening ceremonies last night included many events that fans of the Olympics would recognize, including a parade of nations, a rousing rendition of classic Israeli songs led by pop star Shiri Maiman, and a torch lighting ceremony.

Among the thousands of Jewish sportsmen and women marching into the stadium under their national flags was an Iranian-born Jew who came to compete for his native country.

In addition, the delegation from Puerto Rica gave the honor of carrying their colors to Amiel Ortiz, a 16-year-old Israeli basketball player who was severely injured when his Messianic Jewish family was targeted by a booby-trapped Purim gift basket in March 2008 in Ariel. Ami's father, pastor David Ortiz is, of Puerto Rican descent.

To see a video clip of the Maccabiah Games, Click Here: http://tinyurl.com/l29tpj

Israel tennis team advances to semis of Davis Cup

Israeli Davis Cup tennis team
(photo via ICEJ).

Meanwhile, ICEJ also reports that over the past weekend, Israeli tennis stars Harel Levy, Dudi Sela, Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich made history by defeating a seemingly invincible Russian team at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv and sending Israel to the semi-finals of the prestigious Davis Cup competition for the first time ever.

ICEJ says Russia was favored to win this year's competition, but the Israeli singles and doubles team pulled off the upset, assuring the nation's first ever final four appearance.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Israel Tennis Association CEO Moshe Haviv on Saturday night to congratulate him.

"You have filled the nation with pride," Netanyahu told Haviv.

"This is the best moment of my career. It is an experience that I will never forget for the rest of my life," agreed Ram, who with Erlich has won several ATP doubles events.

"I think we deserve it, the crowd deserved it, the country deserved it."

The Israeli team will now visit Spain over the weekend of September 18-20 in a bid to reach the Davis Cup finals.