Maccabi athletes take the field at Pirates game, celebrating Jewish pride
“It’s heartwarming to see a large group of teenagers between the ages of 13 to 17, so proud of their heritage."
The JCC Maccabi Campus Games teen athletes descended on PNC Park for Jewish Heritage Night on Tuesday, Aug. 5, taking a night off from competition to watch some Pirates baseball.
The night began with a parade around the field. About 2,000 teen athletes from Montreal to Ukraine to Pittsburgh, as well as coaches and parents, took a lap around the dirt warning track that circles the field.
Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh Board Chair Scott Seewald threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game began. He pitched to his son Daniel as the crowd cheered them on.
“I don’t mind speaking in front of crowds; I don’t mind sharing Jewish joy and talking up the JCC — throwing a pitch is making me a little nervous,” Seewald said.
This year’s Maccabi Games had a new model of operation. Rather than relying on home hospitality, athletes stayed in the dorms at the University of Pittsburgh.
“Over the last few years, it’s gotten more and more difficult to find families who are willing to house an athlete,” said the Games co-Director Lynn Zelenski. “So the approach was made to the University of Pittsburgh. They were thrilled. They’ve been wonderful partners.”
The new model enabled the planning of evening activities for Maccabi participants, including Jewish Heritage Night at PNC Park, “college night,” evening baseball and basketball games, and interacting with a Jewish fraternity at Pitt, which rounded out the teens’ “college experience.”
Jewish Heritage Night was a highlight for the Jewish athletes, who filled the left field bleachers. Likewise, being in the presence of so many young Jewish athletes was a highlight for the wider Jewish community at the game.
“It’s heartwarming to see a large group of teenagers between the ages of 13 to 17, so proud of their heritage,” Zelenski said.
Throughout the night, athletes, coaches and parents were able to walk around PNC Park, eat kosher food and meet Jewish athletes from around the world. Those buying tickets for the game through a Jewish Heritage Night special package got a discounted rate, pregame kosher meal and a special Pirates cap.
Bram Goldstein, a basketball player from Baltimore, reflected on the night and its significance. “It’s really cool,” Goldstein said. “It’s kind of crazy seeing all of these Jewish athletes. Like, there are 2,000 of them.”
A beautiful night at the ballpark was made even more special by the convergence of some of the world’s best Jewish youth athletes and a celebration of Jewish culture. PJC
Andrew Rich can be reached at arich@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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