Local athletes honored for success at Maccabi Games
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

Swimmer Lindsay Schwartz spends much of her time competing, as a coach, club athlete and varsity swimmer at Calabasas High School. But after two years swimming for Team Los Angeles at the Maccabi Games, Lindsay knows that the Maccabi meet is about more than winning.

"It's not just about the competition," Lindsay said. "It's finding out about your heritage and finding out you have a lot in common with all the Jewish kids around you."

The annual Maccabi Games provide the opportunity for Jewish athletes all over the world to share their customs and get to know each other in competitive athletic settings.

"Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel is an organization of volunteers bound together by their love of kids of all ages, sports and Israel," said Toni Wortman, president of Maccabi. "Our formula is simple- sports are the attraction, international competitions are the vehicle and Jewish continuity is our primary goal."

Lindsay and three other athletes stayed with a host family in Stamford, Conn. during the week of the games.

"It was really nice getting to know another family who is Jewish and seeing their traditions," Lindsay said. "We had a few days of competition, and when we weren't with our host families we got to just hang out with the rest of the kids and get to know them."

Lindsay was one of 24 Los Angelesarea middle schooland high school-aged young people who received Outstanding Athlete Awards last month for their performance in the August games. Fifteen hail from the Conejo Valley:

+Jacob Adler, Newbury Park High School: Junior Jacob just came on board, playing table tennis for Maccabi. Jacob has also received the Scholar Athlete Award in baseball and tennis, and took second place in the 100-meter race at the Ventura County Youth Track Conference Finals.

+Brett Berns, Calabasas High School: This was senior Brett's first year playing basketball on the Maccabi team. Brett, the captain of his high school team, has also received the Most Valuable Player Award.

+Dara Deaton, Agoura High School: Junior Dara took the Gold Medal at both the 2005 and 2006 Maccabi Games for her skills on the soccer field. The second-year Maccabi member's high school team was named 2005 Marmonte League champions.

+Michelle Fassberg, Calabasas High School: In her third year playing basketball for Team Los Angeles, sophomore Michelle brought home the Silver Medal in 2004, the Bronze in 2005 and the Gold last year.

+Justin Fredlender, Calabasas High School: The junior is in his fourth year playing baseball for Maccabi Team Los Angeles. Justin was the recipient of the 2006 Calabasas High School MVP Award, the Avi Gesundheit Award and the Westhills Baseball Thoroughbred Award.

+Jaclyn Gersh, Calabasas High School: This was the junior's third year playing soccer for Team Los Angeles. The two-year varsity player at Calabasas High won the Gold Medal in both the 2005 and 2006 Maccabi Games.

+James Goldstein, Oak Park High School: As a freshman, this is James' first year on Team Los Angeles' track and field team. He was named All-County Cross Country at Oak Park High School and set the 3mile freshman school record.

+Matthew Graditor, Calabasas High School: Sophomore Matthew has played for Team Los Angeles for two years, collecting two Silver medals in 2005 and 2006 on the 14-and-under basketball team. He also received the Calabasas High School varsity Testament Award for Outstanding Scholar Athlete.

+Brandon Katz, Calabasas High School: In his first year on the Maccabi 14andunder baseball team, Brandon pitched a shutout (7-0) game, a highlight for the freshman. Brandon has also received the All Stars Award and the Thoroughbred Award.

+Adam Landecker, Calabasas High School: The only freshman starter on the Calabasas High School baseball team last year, Adam earned Gold medals in 2005 and 2006 at the Maccabi Games. The sophomore was also part of the USSA State champion team in 2003 and the Triple Crown State champion team in 2005.

+Carly London, Calabasas High School: The senior took home a slew of medals in track and field, including six Gold medals and three Silvers in 2005 and seven Golds, two Silvers and a bronze medal in 2006. Carly also received the AllMarmonte League Track Award and was Scholar Athlete.

+Allison Schneider, Agoura High School: In Allison's second year playing softball for Maccabi, the sophomore won the gold medal in 2005 and the silver in 2006. Allison was also an NSA champion in 2006 and won fourth place at ASA Nationals in 2005.

+Lindsay Schwartz, Calabasas High School: In her second year swimming for Maccabi, the sophomore collected one Gold, two Silver and a Bronze medal in 2005 and two Silvers and a Bronze in 2006. Lindsay was named Most Outstanding Freshman Swimmer at Calabasas High School in 2006.

+Isaac Wender, Viewpoint School: In his first year on the Team Los Angeles swim team, eighth-grader Isaac brought home five Gold, two Silver and a Bronze medal at the summer games. In addition to swimming, Isaac loves to travel and listen to music.

+Lisa Zeitlin, Calabasas High School: Sophomore Lisa has played softball for Maccabi for three years, taking home the Gold in 2004 and 2005, and the Silver in the 2006 games. Lisa was also the recipient of the Sandy Silverman Outstanding Softball Athlete Award.