Team Maccabi GB have returned home from Orange County, California, after winning an impressive 72 medals at the JCC Maccabi Games.
The squad of 71 athletes and managers took part in 10 successful days of sporting competition and cultural activities.
Of the medals won, some 30 came from track and field, with all members of the squad winning medals, many of which were gold.
On the football pitch, the U14 Blue team made it to the final and beat Philadelphia 3-1 to claim the gold. The U16 boys won a bronze after a 5-3 victory against Israel, but the U14 White team failed to reach the final, despite their valiant efforts.
Table tennis medals also came from Samuel Klein (bronze 15-16 singles) and Miles Isaacs (silver 13-14 singles), while tennis players Alon Hannuna, Rafi Howard, Joshua Imber and Oliver Davis all collected medals.
Dancers Tali Orenstein, Dani Kramer, Georgia Myers, Emma Greenberg, Talia Diamond and Jake Becker took medals in their solo and group dances, including a gold for their group Hip Hop.
In the pool, Benjamin Feigenbaum won silver in the 15-16 boys 50-yards freestyle relay. Ellie Egan-Williams, Jade Bentley, Max Winters and Rafael Leon were medalists in the 400-yards medley relay, with Egan-Williams also securing the 200-yards butterfly bronze.
As well as the medals won during the Games, a number of GB athletes were awarded Midot medals, which were given to athletes who showed leadership, positivity and embraced the “Rachmanus spirit” of fair play.
The athletes also took part in the annual JCC Cares charitable project, which this year involved interacting with young children in various activities.
Among the highlights of the Games are the evening and social activities, which allow the athletes to meet other young Jewish people from all over the world.
Joint heads of delegation Janice and Ian Aarons said: “The JCC Maccabi Games allow young Jewish athletes their first opportunity of representing their country at an international sports event. Team Maccabi GB have not only represented their country, but their community too, and made lifelong friendships. They returned home with medals and also enhanced their Jewish identity.”
The Games are held annually for those between the ages of 13 and 16. Next year they will be staged in Detroit, Michigan.
