Weitzman issues challenge for Maccabi USA

Footwear designer, philanthropist and Hewlett native Stuart Weitzman carried the American flag as he led the USA delegation into Teddy Stadium at the 21st World Maccabiah Games on July 12 to 26 in Israel.

Thousands of Jewish athletes from around the world competed in the athletic competition. The USA delegation of 1,300 was twice the size of the most recent American Olympic team and these Maccabiah Games were the second largest athletic event ever.

Weitzman also introduced a philanthropic challenge that will help thousands of athletes for years to come. He challenged Maccabi USA to endow scholarships for athletes in financial need to take part in the Maccabiah Games by raising $3 million. Then Weitzman will donate $5 million.

To date, Maccabi USA has raised $1.3 million and unlocked an initial $2 million gift from Weitzman in the process. To benefit from the full match, the organization must raise an additional $1.7 million by the end of the year. If successful, Weitzman will contribute $3 million more, bringing the total amount in the Stuart Weitzman Scholarship Fund to $8 million.

“I do not believe that cost should be a barrier to participation,” Weitzman said. “I cannot imagine a better way to create camaraderie and an appreciation of Jewish heritage and culture than by supporting an organization like Maccabi USA. I am making this gift to ensure that any athlete in need of funds can take part in this life-changing experience.”

The contribution by Weitzman is the largest gift in the history of Maccabi USA. “This is the most monumental gift in the history of our organization,” Maccabi USA President Jeff Bukantz said. “After every Maccabiah, we start from zero and need to raise $1 million to support our athletes. This generous endowment will ensure that qualified Jewish athletes in need of financial help can join the team.”

Weitzman has supported the US Olympics teams and served on the foundation board for years. Now he is specifically helping Jewish athletes.

“When I entered the stadium with almost 1,200 athletes and coaches and looked back at them all lined up waving the American flag,” he said. “It’s a moment I’ll never forget. That was one thrilling moment to be leading in front of 30,000 people.”

Weitzman is a three-time Maccabi USA table tennis alum and attended the games for a third consecutive time after initially becoming involved to display his prowess in table tennis. This year Weitzman captured the bronze medal for USA table tennis and described his experience traveling to the games. 

“It was inspiring to me and hopefully to anybody else who wants to give his or her support,” he said.  “I saw so many Jewish kids from so many different countries, some of whom couldn’t even speak to each other because of languages, but there was a friendship and a camaraderie that you had to be there to see. Athletes from Argentina trading uniforms with American swimmers and relationships that were being established, that in today’s world with the internet, will be easy to continue. I don’t know what other effect could ever bring that kind of friendship and camaraderie from Jewish people from so many different countries. That’s what’s truly in my mind most special about the Maccabi games.”

Those who would like to donate to the Weitzman fund can visit https://maccabiusa.com/weitzmanfund/