Athletes troop by to watch the videos and trade names and stories. In the gymnasium, boys basketball coach Peter Pollat radiates enthusiasm. A dermatologist by day, Pollat has been coaching Maccabi athletes for 11 years. He and co-coach Bill Black have seen athletes use the Maccabi Games as a springboard to major athletic achievement. Every year we see former participating athletes coming back to coach.
Coaches pay their own way to the games.
But Pollat says sportsmanship, smiles and memories more than compensate them. We do it because we love kids. Representing a 17-year tradition of sportsmanship and fellowship, the Maccabi games have come a long way. The debut year attracted 300 participants. This year, more than 4,500 Jewish teens are expected at the host cities for a week of vivid athletic experiences and friendly contacts that can last for life.