No More Living in a Suitcase

For the first time in four days, we didn’t have to rise with the sun to get ready for early morning practice. Besides the fact that I haven’t bowled multiple days in a row for a while (though I needed that preparation for the actual competition), we decided that bowlers are not really early morning risers. Just look at when leagues are normally underway – after 6 p.m.

Not that we were complaining that we had practice; on the contrary, it was good for us to have a chance to get on the lanes and also to be treated just like every other athlete. Apparently, in 2001, I’m told that morning practices didn’t exist … and when you see other athletes going to their practices and you are just sleeping in and going to tan (which itself isn’t a bad schedule), you don’t feel as much as part of the team. This time around, there was no mistaking how we contribute and will continue to contribute to Team USA and its success.

The morning was spent at Neot Kedumim, a nature reserve about one-half hour from Kfar Maccabiah. We had all of about three minutes to participate in a tree planting ceremony (our bus planted an olive tree) and then the entire delegation joined together for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony. Now, while I think the idea of giving athletes the opportunity to renew or begin their connection to Judaism by being called up for an aliyah at the Torah, there was no education, no context for the kehillah (community/spectators). Because all the athletes come from varying levels of observance, it’s apparent that the service needs to be on a very basic level, but there can and should still be something that elevates and inspires all the athletes, not just those who are called for an aliyah. I know, it’s that informal Jewish educator in me talking ….

We ended our time at the Kfar with a full team luncheon where our team chair announced who were the athletes that would carry the flag and banner during the opening ceremony. It was also the last time for anyone to address our entire delegation and give one final push for personal and team success during the forthcoming competition. Just in case you forgot, you can watch the opening ceremonies on a webcast beginning at 8 p.m. Israel time (that’s 1 p.m. on the East Coast) by going to www.maccabiah17.com.

I’m writing this from our new home, the Hotel Optima in Ramat Gan. In addition to our bowlers, bowlers from Mexico and Canada are already at the hotel, and more are expected during the next day or two. We also found out that there are seven full male teams – Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Mexico, United States, and Venezuela – and two other countries –Sweden and Belgium – represented by one and two bowlers, respectively. Our work is cut out during the competition, but for the next few days, and whenever we are off the lanes, we have a chance to meet and befriend other Jewish bowlers from around the world. We share so much in common and this is the ideal venue to share those loves together.

We’ll probably go to the bowling center tomorrow afternoon to check out the place and maybe get in a few games. Schlepping our bowling equipment to the center in little, tiny Israeli taxis (moniyot) will surely be half the fun. I’ll try to post on here before Shabbat to give you a full report – hopefully, when they say this place has 20 lanes, they mean it.