Voices from the 2008 JCC Maccabi Games
Below are quotes from a few of the athletes, volunteers and donors involved in the 2008
Detroit JCC Maccabi Games, compiled by the Star Reporter staff:
Q: How is Detroit different from your home community?
A:
"Detroit has the same kind of Jewish community that Baltimore has. The Baltimore community is maybe a little bit bigger, and I think
Baltimore is a little bit older. I've noticed, though, that the Jewish families have kind of pushed out into the suburbs and move
farther and farther from the city."
--Justin Stappler, Baltimore
A: "I guess Detroit is kind of similar, but in Rockland we don't
have things like private lakes and stuff. That part is cool."
-- Shay Frey, Rockland
Q: How have you enjoyed Detroit?
A:
"Detroit seems to be a nice place but I haven't seen that much of it. My favorite part of Maccabi is meeting all the new people."
--
Erica Greene, Boston
A: "I love Detroit and maybe would even want to move here. My favorite part is getting to know new people."
--
Sasha Varpakhovich, Brooklyn.
A: "Detroit is different from home. What my team noticed was how different the accents are. My
favorite part is playing and being with the team.
-- Mallory Donen, Vancouver
A: "It's really nice here. There isn't a lot to
do here, but it is still really fun! Amazing weather here, too."
-- Shelby Michaels, Vancouver
A: "The JCC is really big here
and everyone has been so nice everywhere we've gone."
-- Sophie Lieberman; San Francisco
A: "Really fun! The JCC here is really
amazing!"
-- Essie Caiyem; Rockland
Q: What is your favorite thing about the JCC Maccabi Games?
A: "'I mostly enjoyed playing
baseball here. The fields were great.'"
-- Gary Baker, Boston
A: "Our volleyball team is very close. We've been together for three
years, and this is our last year that we are doing Maccabi. Our favorite thing is making friends and staying close with our teammates.'"
--
Mallory Donen and Arianna Brucar, Vancouver
A: "My favorite thing is meeting different people from different places that I've
never been to before. I enjoy staying close with them, and playing sports with them."
-- Shuli Just-Michael, Westchester
Q: What
do you think of the JCC Maccabi Games being in Detroit?
A: "It is a great opportunity for the community to come together. It
was fun to see how families have gathered for the Games."
-- Beth Guenther
A: "It's an honor being able to host. It's very nice
to have our city highlighted in a positive way."
-- Sheila Eisenberg
Q: What does it mean to you to participate in the JCC Maccabi
Games?
A: “I think that it is a very important event for the city of Detroit, and I think that it will give Detroit a better
reputation. Also it brings young Jewish kids together.”
-- Ronna Galin; Vice President of Comerica Bank
Q: Why did your
organization choose to donate to the JCC Maccabi Games?
A: "We as a company donate to a lot of things, but it's just a great
event for the youth. It develops people, and creates some future leaders; so I think it's a good investment. We're looking to see
all the athletes have a great time. We want to see all the boys and girls have a great experience, that they interact and meet new
people, and that they grow culturally."
-- Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President of Product Development, Chrysler Foundation
A:
"We donate to hundreds of organizations every year, throughout the country and the world. But this basically is a once in a generation
chance to support the Maccabi Games locally in Detroit, and that is an opportunity we just had to seize. We sponsored in 1998, so
it just seemed right that we also sponsor in 2008. I'd like to see a lot of competition, a lot of camaraderie. Hopefully, a lot of
smiles and a lot of fun from the visitors coming in from all over."
-- Brian Glowiak, vice president, Chrysler Foundation
