Charlotteans Bring Home More Than Medals From Maccabiah Games in Israel

The Charlotte Jewish News, September 2022

By Carrie Rabinowitz

Enduring and deep friendships, great stories, a fiancée, and lots of medals were just a few of the things nine Charlotte-area competitors brought home from their three-week trip to Israel in July. They were part of the delegation of 1,300 athletes from the United States that competed in the 21st Maccabiah Games.

Evan Wisotsky, a rising sophomore at Providence High School, went with the hopes of winning a gold medal. He got that and more. “The greatest part of the experience was creating a brotherhood with my teammates and coaches,” he said, noting that it happened more quickly than he expected.

“Even though we were only there for three weeks, we got close quickly, and I would consider my teammates as close as family,” said Sophie Levine, a rising 11th grader at Providence Day School, who won gold on the U18 Women’s Basketball team. “The greatest aspect of my participation was how incredible it was to meet other Jewish people from all over the world and that knowing everyone on the court was Jewish.”

Arthur Lavitt, who received his gold medal from former President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres at the Maccabiah nearly 30 years ago when he competed in golf, traveled to Israel to watch his son, Brandon, compete in 3x3 basketball in July. Brandon, a rising freshman, who will be playing basketball at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, echoed the sentiments of Wisotsky and Levine. “The greatest aspect about my participation was the number of friends for life I made. I now have at least 20 friends around the country I will keep in touch with,” he said. Arthur, his dad, still keeps in touch with the friends he made decades ago.

The camaraderie and good will extended beyond the competitions. “Not only were my teammates fun guys whom I will keep in touch with for the rest of my life, but the people of Israel were welcoming to all the participants of the games, regardless of where they were from,” said Seth Rabinowitz, a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina who won a bronze in the men’s 4x400 relay. “Now I want to go back again. I liked how I felt when I was there. I felt a sense of belonging.”

The first Maccabiah in 1932 had 390 Jewish athletes from 18 countries competing in 16 disciplines. The United States had the smallest delegation, with only 10 participants. This year, more than 10,000 Jewish athletes from 62 countries competed in 38 disciplines in the 21st Maccabiah Games. The United States had the largest visiting delegation with athletes ranging in age from 14 to 84. Of the 2,299 medals awarded, more than half — 1,468 — went to Israelis. Americans won the second-most medals with 274 — 87 gold, 109 silver, and 78 bronze.

“Even though I won a gold medal, it still wasn’t the top thing that happened,” said Jordan Schilit, 31, who won the Open 10K road race, which was run at night through the streets of Jerusalem. “I thought it was the most amazing thing to be able to propose to someone who is passionate about Judaism,” he said of his on-stage proposal five minutes before his event. His now fiancée, Ericka Rahman, said yes.

The Maccabiah, which takes place every four years, is the world’s largest Jewish athletic competition and the third largest gathering of athletes in a multi-sport event in the world. The games were delayed in 2021 because of COVID; the 22nd games are scheduled for 2025. For more information, visit MaccabiUSA.com.

Participants from Charlotte included: Evan Wisotsky, U16 Boy’s Juniors Basketball Jaclyn Feit, Women Open Basketball Cooper Fensterstock, Men’s Open Ice Hockey Seth Rabinowitz, Men’s Open Track and Field Jordan Schilit, Men’s Open Track and Field Harris Helberg, Men’s Open Track and Field Brandon Lavitt, U18 Men’s 3x3 Basketball Sophie Levine, U18 Women’s Youth Basketball Maya Gendzel, Women’s Open Swimming (competed for Brazil).