Report by Robb Bunnen

The 18th Maccabiah Games, which are the equivalent of the Jewish Olympics, 

are now over for me. It has been a totally amazing experience starting with 

praying at the wailing wall in Jerusalem on Friday night Shabot; being Bar 

Mitzvahed (really!- party invite to follow :)) at Hebrew University in 

Jerusalem; visiting the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth at 1200 feet 

below sea level); stopping at Masada, the site of the Jews' last stand 

against the Romans in 66 AD; dining along the Tel Vviv port area next to the 

Mediterranean Sea, and, oh yeah, there was some really terrific tennis. 

The conditions over here are ridiculous. It's 107 degrees on the hard courts, 

and it feels hotter. Anyway, I lost in the third set tiebreaker in the semis 

to the silver medal winner. I did win the bronze medal match today so I will 

bring home some hardware. 

The opening ceremonies were amazing with 900 USA athletes, 7500 total athletes 

from 65 countries, and Netanyahu, Shimon Perez, and, of course, lighting the 

Maccabiah torch, Jason Lezak (three- time Olympic gold medal winner. He just 

won the ESPY Award for best finish of 08-- think Michael Phelps).

Home next week. Thanks for everyone's support! 
Cheers, Robb