RON CARNER..CLASS OF 1957

Hello everyone........If you remember back in May of this year I sent out a notice about Ron in the following paragraphs.

Ron has been involved with Maccabi since 1986 and is currently the General Chairman of the USA 18th Maccabiah Organizing Committee, First Vice President of Maccabi USA and Vice President of Maccabi World Union.

The night of May 19th (which happened to be Ron's birthday) was declared "Maccabiah Night". At a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Ron represented Maccabi USA and threw out the first ball from the mound....

Following is some additional information about Ron that I have, and thought you would enjoy it as well......Sort of a follow up on a very passionate cause that Ron has taken upon himself to persue. Worthy to send out to all. to read.

In the early '80's during a conversation with his wife, Ron mentioned that it was time for him to "give back" to his community. His primary interests were the Jewish people, the State of Israel and sports—and he loved spending time with young people. What would be a better fit than the Maccabiah? Soon after, at a party, his Israeli-born wife, Talia, introduced him to someone who was involved with the organization. He immediately jumped into the role of Basketball Chair for the 1987 Pan Am Games in Caracas , Venezuela .


In the over twenty years of actively working for the organization, Bob Spivak was Rons primary mentor, but he was also helped by others such as Alan Sherman and a host of volunteers that have made it possible for the organization to grow both in size and in quality of athletic achievements.



The most challenging test—and finally the highlight of excitement—was the process of organizing the USA team for the 16th Maccabiah. Just as they prepared to leave for Israel , the Second Intifida took a turn to the worse, and the Games seemed to be off. In an act of solidarity with the people of Israel , they put new teams together in merely three-and-a-half weeks. The most memorable and proudest moments of his life will forever be otheir marching into Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem in July, 2001 and receiving an extraordinarily warm reception.



Rons pride in the Maccabi movement and his steadfast belief in its goals have also compelled him to work hard at the several Pan Am Games in which he chaired the USA team. He witnessed the positive effect these games have had on Jewish communities in South America; the more teams the USA brought, the more competition was created, with a growing representation and involvement of the South American Jews. Reports from Santiago , Chili, for example, relate how the previously disjointed Jewish community has consolidated since the 2003 Pan Am Games.



Sports, his early love, is always alluring, but it is not the be-it-all in the Maccabiah Games. Sports is the hook that lures young people and gives us the opportunity to instill in them Jewish identity and pride, the sense of belonging to Jews of all nations, and the understanding the centrality of Israel to it all.



In the last ten years, Ron served as vice-chairman of Maccabi World Union in addition to wearing several hats at Maccabi USA , the latest of which is his chairing the 2009 US team to the Games in Israel . They will be bringing over 1000 athletes and twice as many family members and supporters.



As they move deeper into the 21st century with its increasing tribulations—and dangers to Jews that never seems to abate—he would like to see the Maccabiah recognized among non-Jews and the media both for its sheer size as the third largest international sports event and for the level of athletic competition and international record-breaking in so many sports. Also, while many Jews have heard their name, they are still unfamiliar with our importance to Jewish continuity and pride.



And finally, Ron would like to see more participation of Jews from Diaspora communities whose sizes suggest they can make better use of the Maccabiah Games to bring together their communities and help them achieve that pride that has filled his life these past twenty-two years and will continue to be so important to him in the coming two decades.

Well done Ron , another Madisonian to be proud of.........Ron just informed me this evening that he was just nominated to be President of Maccabi USA and will start his 4 year term in December

He also acknowledged my request to include his e-mail address and his cell number , so if you are inclined, do contact him, I am sure he will welcome hearing from all.

His e-mail address is................Bigrsc@aol.com

His Cell Number is..........516-819-9365

Well done Ron and best of luck..

Regards to all
Sherry Gordon (Mandel) alagorf2@aol.com