Jewish Community News

News: February 2008

Two young adultsrepresent the South Bay at the Pan American Maccabi Games

Temple Emanu-El member Michelle Mighdoll, 21, and Saratoga resident Sky Cutler, 19, were two of  some 500 U.S. athletes to participate in the Pan American Maccabi games in Buenos Aires, Argentina from December 23 – January 2. 

Michelle competed in the triathlon, winning first place in her age group (21-25) and second place overall. Given that there were not many runners in the U.S. delegation, Michelle also ran the half  marathon two days later with the intention of just participating but her competitive spirit shined through and she won the race not only in her age group, but overall!

Sky, who attends San Jose State University and plays center back on the Spartans soccer team, competed as a forward in a Maccabi soccer competition. His team came in fourth place.
   The Pan American Maccabi games are the 4th largest international sporting competition in the world after the World Cup and winter and summer Olympics. The purpose of the games is to celebrate Jewish unity and culture in a friendly yet competitive environment and bring Jews together from various parts of the world. 
    The games are operated like the modern Olympics with opening and closing ceremonies.  The athletes also had the opportunity to tour  sites in and around the Buenos Aires area, attend socials, dances, Shabbat services and other activities. 
     “Anyone there you talk to, they’re from a different country and they may not speak your language, but they’re Jewish. For me that’s a very comforting and warming experience,” said Michelle. “You have two things in common no matter what, you’re Jewish and you’re an athlete.”
    She adds,  “I think more than anything it made me realize that there are Jewish communities wherever you go in the world and there are certain commonalities that we have.”
      “Certain songs that we sing, in certain instances, like Hatikvah, everyone knew it, which was just kind of weird because we don’t have the same first language.”
    Both Michelle and Sky plan to continue their athletics and participate in the Israeli Maccabi games in the summer of 2009. 
    Michelle is a graduate of the JCC Preschool, attended Yavneh Day School, graduated Saratoga High in 2004 and is currently a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business, concentrating in health care management and policy.
     Sky is a graduate of Arch Bishop Mitty High School in San Jose and currently attends San Jose State.