Maccabi Games start in Chile tomorrow

Some 4,000 Jewish athletes from at least 20 countries will attend the Pan American Maccabi Games in Chile.

The thirteenth edition of the international multi-sport event will be held in Santiago from tomorrow until January 4, 2016, and will draw participants from South, Central and North Americas, Israel and guest countries such as Australia and South Africa.

Held every four years, the Pan American Maccabi Games are held to “perpetuate and preserve the Jewish communities in the Americas by encouraging Jewish pride, strengthening Jewish bonds, and by creating a heightened awareness of Israel and Jewish Identity.”

Latin American delegations in 2015 include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, Uruguay.

The last Pan American Maccabi edition was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2011.

— JTA