The Knapp family of Teaneck recently returned as big winners from the 21st Maccabiah Games held in Israel this summer, and not only because they bore medals or trophies. Sharing their wins with all of Israel and the global Jewish community, the Knapps also expressed their family’s experience of achdut, a powerful sense of the spectrum of Jews who joined there in a communal and inclusive endeavor of camaraderie and cooperation, and where everyone wins—even if not personally present.
The family has been involved with Maccabi USA for a number of years. Amalya, the oldest daughter, was an alternate on the USA gymnastics team that went to Israel in July 2017 and earned a team gold and an individual silver at the Pan American Games in Mexico City in 2019. The Knapps are passionate about Judaism and the Maccabiah mission of bringing diverse Jews together for unity due to their interest in athletics. Thirteen-year-old Sophie was thrilled to be selected for the under-18 girls’ gymnastics team. Eli, who has played soccer in Teaneck with the Stingrays, Teaneck FC and Frisch, was honored to be selected for the futsal soccer team. Rabbi Stephen Knapp, a professional Jewish educator for over two and a half decades, serves as principal of the Hillel Yeshiva Elementary and Middle Schools in Deal, New Jersey, and joined the Maccabiah USA staff as part of their inaugural group of educators, helping athletes make meaningful connections with Israel and their Judaism.
The Knapps report that the Maccabiah experience was filled with inspirational moments. One of the greatest was when Sophie sang the U.S. National Anthem for the entire U.S. delegation at the opening ceremonies. Said Rabbi Knapp, “Watching Eli and Sophie play and compete with their teams of Jewish American athletes of varying denominations from all over the U.S. with the Israeli flag in the background was incredible. Seeing President Biden greet the delegation at the Opening Ceremonies was a big deal.” The Knapps were also inspired by spending Shabbat together with hundreds of USA Maccabiah delegates, singing together during Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdala.
“Sophie trains in gymnastics four to five hours a day,” said Rabbi Knapp. “The Maccabiah Games was her first international competition, incredible in and of itself, but for it to have been in Israel was powerful as an athlete and a Jew.” He also noted that Eli plays hockey, soccer and baseball, so for him to compete on a team whose players all felt passionate about athleticism and Judaism was truly inspirational as well.
Also stirring were the heroic life stories from Holocaust survivors in preparation for a visit to Yad Vashem. “Equally memorable,” the rabbi said, “was volunteering at the Tennis Center in Yokneam with special needs children, learning a Hebrew word of the day on the bus and walking through the shuk in Tel Aviv.”
The Maccabiah experience was filled with many moments of unity. “The Opening Ceremonies in Teddy Stadium in Yerushalayim were spectacular,” said Rabbi Knapp. “It was so inspiring to see over 10,000 Jewish athletes being celebrated in a sold-out stadium by 30,000 Jewish fans in our capital and holy city of Jerusalem! This feeling was replicated at the Closing Ceremony at Live Park in Rishon LeZion with the athletes gathering to meet, trade swag and celebrate their accomplishments together. Eli and Sophie made lifelong friends, and the connections, shared experiences, support and sportsmanship they showed each other was unreal.”
The family felt especially fortunate to be able to share this experience together. For a family passionate about Judaism and dedicated to Israel, many worthy causes, and to athletics, participating at the 21st Maccabiah Games was a dream come true. “Representing American Jewry in Israel, our homeland, in the sport of choice for each of our children, was the culmination of many hours spent in the gym, on the soccer field, in carpools and so much more,” said Rabbi Knapp. “Experiencing all of this with like-minded Jews from all over the world reminded us of the strength and unity of the Jewish people personally and as part of a [world] community.”
Maccabiah provided beautiful accommodations for all athletes and staff members. “After arriving at ‘Kfar Maccabiah,’ where we toured the brand new Maccabi Museum of Jewish athletes and saw the amazing workout facilities, the American athletes were divided into three campuses for the first week of Israel Connect. The first week included team practices and workouts as well as touring the country and experiencing the beauty, diversity and history of our homeland,” explained Rabbi Knapp.
Following the Opening Ceremonies, all U18 (under 18) athletes and staff moved up north, where the U.S. delegation stayed in the beautiful Dan Panorama of Haifa. “The food, accommodations and views were awesome. The athletes particularly enjoyed lunch and free time at the HUB, where all Maccabiah athletes from over 60 countries gathered to eat, socialize and enjoy
their time together.”
All said, the 21st Maccabiah Games was an experience to be cherished and remembered, and possibly to be followed by a sequel for the 22nd Maccabiah Games! The Jewish Link joins with the community and readership and in wishing congratulations to Eli and Sophie for their success at the games, to proud parents Chavie and Rabbi Stephen Knapp … and to the entire extended family on the upcoming bat mitzvah of Dalya in a couple of weeks.
By Ellie Wolf
