Philadelphia, PA, February 21 – Ron Carner, President of Maccabi USA, is thrilled to announce a one million dollar gift from Stuart Weitzman, through The Weitzman Family Foundation-the largest single contribution in the history of the organization. A portion of the gift will be used to help fund the 1200-member USA Team's participation in the 19th World Maccabiah Games in Israel in July; the bulk of the remainder will be invested in the Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel Endowment Fund to support the mission and programs of the organization for future generations.
"Stuart is a good friend to Maccabi USA and he understands the importance of what we do, building Jewish pride through sports, because he has experienced it firsthand," Carner said. "He is a dynamic human being who cares very much about the future of the Jewish community. He is a terrific Table Tennis athlete too!"
Weitzman, of Stuart Weitzman Shoes, first got involved with Maccabi USA as a member of the Masters Table Tennis team at the 18th World Maccabiah Games in 2009.
"My participation in the Maccabiah Games was one of the greatest experiences of my life!" Weitzman stated emphatically. "After experiencing the Games myself I saw how Maccabi USA changes the lives of the athletes by enhancing their connection to their Jewish culture and heritage. I knew that I had to support the work they do so future Jewish athletes can participate in this life-changing event and feel a strong connection to the State of Israel. It is my hope that this gift spurs other individuals and foundations to support Maccabi USA and the important work they do with similar gifts."
For further information on sponsorship and endowment opportunities, please visit maccabiusa.com or call Executive Director, Jed Margolis, at 215.561.6900 x121.
About the organization:
Maccabi USA (MUSA) is a federally-recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, the Pan American Maccabi Games and the Maccabi competitions in Europe and Australia, as well as a sponsor of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America. As the official Maccabi representative in the U.S., Maccabi USA supports Jewish athletic endeavors, enhanced by cultural and educational activities in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora.