The games open Saturday night, November 19, with Opening Ceremonies that include a parade of nations with delegates from Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Israel, Brazil and the United States. Following the parade, the Michael-Ann Russell JCC’s Bamachol Dance Academy will perform both modern and traditional choreography, dressed in spectacular costumes representing the various countries.
Similar to the Olympic Games, The Maccabi Games will present a Torch Lighting Ceremony with a very special guest Torch Lighter. Maickel Melamed, a world reknowned marathon runner who suffers from hypotonia, a rare birth defect of low muscle tone, which makes most activites extremely difficult. Hailing from Caracas, Venezula, Melamed’s unprecedented run of the New York City Marathon earlier this year has inspired people all over the world “We are so thrilled to have Maickel join us at the 30th anniversary of the Maccabi Games,” says Ana Ehrlich, Games Coordinator. “It is fitting that a man of this caliber, and a role model to all, be the official Torch Lighter at this year’s Games.”
The Games run through Saturday, November 26, including Thanksgiving Day. For information about Hebraica's 30th Annual Maccabi Games, call 305-932-4200, ext. 119.
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The Michael-Ann Russell JCC is dedicated to the enrichment of Jewish life, representing a model of acceptance, understanding and diversity. The MAR-JCC is a beneficiary agency of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, and United Way of Miami-Dade.
