It’s Maccabi Time.
I awoke this morning, looked outside and saw a beautiful day waiting.
Today we’ll meet hundreds of athletes and artists.
The opening ceremonies will be incredible at the Towson Center.
I remember one of my favorite opening ceremonies ever held.
It was at Detroit’s Palace of Auburn Hills.
It was in 1990.
When the cities marched through the home of the Detroit Piston’s, one of the building’s now late co-owners David Hermelin announced each city and had something wonderful to say about each one.
I miss David Hermelin. He was one of the leaders of the Jewish Community in Detroit and in the world, for that matter.
He died of cancer after serving as Ambassador to Norway.
He was a wealthy philanthropist, but he gave so much of his time to anyone who needed a minute or an hour. He was one of those men who would return every any phone call made to him.
And I can still hear his voice when he announced the kids walking through the Palace. They probably didn’t know who he was, but it didn’t really matter.
Years later in Baltimore, another great man started his Associated volunteer career with the Maccabi Games. His name was Morton “Sonny” Plant. He would go on after the Maccabi Games to lead the entire Jewish federated world.
But it started when he gained a passion for these games.
There are so many leaders who find their way to these Games and ArtsFest.
It’s going to be a great week.
See you there.

I wonder if there are any research papers on that topic