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COLUMBUS,
Ohio -- Tennis
players Pam Lippy and Ari Richman, both of New Albany, recently
competed in the World Maccabiah Games, the world's third largest
international athletic competition. Lippy is a tennis pro at the
Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Columbus, where Richman
also is a member.
Lippy,
competing in the Master's Women's 45+ Tennis team, won gold medals
in both Singles and Doubles Tennis tournaments. Richman competed
in the Games' Junior Tennis Men's Singles Quarter Finals for the
bronze medal. They, along with Tim Kauffman of Gahanna, the JCC's
Assistant Executive Director, and Upper Arlington teen Ryan Cutler,
were among the 990 members of the Maccabi USA team - the largest
team in the international competition - from 41 states who competed
in Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cycling, Fencing, Field
Hockey, Futsal (indoor soccer), Golf, Gymnastics, Half Marathon,
Judo, Karate, Lawn Bowls, Rowing, Rugby, Soccer, Softball, Squash,
Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Ten-Pin Bowling, Tennis, Track
& Field, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, and Wrestling.
Lippy
is a Digital Media consultant, USPTA Tennis Professional, Half-Marathoner,
and Triathalete. She is the wife of David Lippy and mother of
four children. Lippy played singles for four years at Flagler
College in St. Augustine, Florida where she earned "All American"
honors her last two years. Two years ago, she was the first female
tennis player at her university to be inducted into the school's
athletic hall of fame. "My trip to Israel was remarkable
and life changing," said Lippy. "The best way to explain
what I experienced is to compare my visit to the Holocaust museum
at Yad Vashem to the 18th Maccabiah Opening ceremony. As I left
Yad Vashem I had a horrible, depressed feeling after experiencing
the depiction of oppressed and submissive Jews. "However,
as I attempt to comprehend what has happened in the ensuing 70
years, my mind flashed forward to the opening Maccabiah ceremony
where I experienced the total joy and uplifting feeling of standing
shoulder to shoulder with tough Jewish athletes who have both
survived and thrived. This was my final overwhelming sensation
of what I experienced in Israel," she said.
Jeffrey
Markowitz, chairman of the Maccabi USA Masters Tennis Team, said
he first met Lippy at the National Tournament in Florida. "I
was impressed with her both on and off the court. Not only is
she an outstanding athlete, but a terrific person. Her spirit
is representative of what the Maccabiah Games are all about, building
a connection among Jews worldwide," he said. "While
we hoped to, and expected to, bring home numerous medals, of greater
significance will be the lasting memories and friendships that
are being formed. Equally important is the strong connection to
Israel that is being formed - and that is priceless," said
Markowitz. "The Columbus Jewish Community will be enhanced
by Pam's participation as a Maccabiah athlete "
Richman
is the son of David and Nina Richman of New Albany. "He had
such a wonderful time and the Maccabiah Games is such a great
program," said Nina. "It was Ari's first trip to Israel,
and he visited Masada, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, and
was able to meet Jewish kids from all over the world." She
said her son won three out of five singles matches against players
from Mexico and Brazil, and also played against players from Israel
and Canada.
Richman
said participating in the Games was something he'll remember for
a long time. "Taking the exact steps as Jewish people did
3,000 years ago throughout Israel, but now walking with athletes
with whom you have so much in common, is an experience of a lifetime,"
he said. In the singles tennis match, Richman was defeated in
the 4th round of the backdraw. He and his doubles partner also
were defeated to the team from France who eventually won gold.
Richman and his mixed doubles partner beat a team from South Africa
and Germany, but lost to a team from Israel who eventually won
silver. Richman
won gold medals in the 2008 JCC Maccabi Games in San Diego and
the 2007 games in Houston, and won a bronze medal in the 2006
games in Phoenix.
During
the World Maccabiah Games, Team USA came in second overall behind
Israel for the amount of medals won. Lippy, Kauffman and Cutler
were among the 84 gold medalists, 92 silver medalists, and 79
bronze medalists for Team USA. Jewish athletes the world over
gather in Israel every four years to compete in what has widely
become known as the "Jewish Olympics" - the World Maccabiah
Games. More than 9,000 of the world's best Jewish athletes from
six continents and 60 countries competed at the Games, held July
12-23 in Jerusalem.
The
concept of the Maccabiah Games was the brainchild of 15-year-old
Russian-born Yosef Yekutieli. The original Maccabiah was held
March 28 to April 6, 1932. The Games today are organized by an
International Maccabiah Committee and are sanctioned by the International
Olympic Committee and World Federation of Sports. The Maccabiah
Games, ranking among the five largest sports gatherings in the
world (in number of participants), are considered Regional Games
by the International Olympic Committee. "Sports is the hook
that attracts Jewish athletes to our program," said Ron Carner,
General Chairman, USA Maccabiah Team. "By bringing such a
large Team and hundreds of additional supporters to the Maccabiah,
we are showing our love and support for the State of Israel. The
Maccabiah is not just about sports, but about providing athletes
an awareness of their Jewish heritage - of who they are, where
they come from and where they are going."
The
JCC of Greater Columbus, located at 1125 College Ave., Columbus,
is a human service organization offering a varied program that
is largely Jewish in nature. It is committed to enhancing the
quality of family life and promoting the physical, intellectual
and spiritual wellness of the individual. It provides health-related
activities and cultural and educational programs that reflect
the Jewish heritage. Although primarily a membership JCC, the
JCC of Greater Columbus also delivers services to the community
at large, including populations at risk. Through its wide array
of programs, the JCC pursues its mission of strengthening the
individual, family and community. For general information, contact
the front desk of the JCC at (614) 231-2731. The JCC is a beneficiary
of The Columbus Jewish Federation, and a United Way Agency, affiliated
with The JCC Association.
Kriss
Galloway, Marketing and Communications Manager
Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus
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