Sunday the 14th: Jerusalem, The Old City, Kotel, & The Western Wall from the Girls

Although we did not have time to shop in the old city of Jerusalem because of the rigorous schedule and time constraints, we all shared a significantly more special experience.  The highlight of the day for many was visiting the Western Wall. Charly summed it up by saying that the wall itself "is so powerful even though, in reality,  it is just a wall. We all come here to do the same thing." Jordan, accompanied by most of the men's team, enjoyed being wrapped in tefillin before their prayer. After the wall, the team enjoyed the brisk walk through the city, seeing the Israeli culture come alive around them. Alec and Mike W. said the shawarma was their favorite part, but I think we can all age with Jake that the nap on the way back to Shefayim on the bus was a well needed end to the day.

Alana - Captain & the Open Women's Gymnastics Team

Dead Sea & Massada from the Guys

Today was our busiest day yet! We started off the day with routines on vault, parallel bars, and high bar. We've finally gotten used to the 7am workouts and the time change and started putting together some impressive gymnastics. After 4 days of hard practices, we're looking forward to the next 2 days off. 

We got back to the hotel and got dressed for team pictures. I won't lie - the USA gymnastics team is a pretty good looking group. We headed to lunch to fuel up for the long day ahead of us, and then loaded up the buses at noon to begin our trip. 

Our first stop of the day was Mineral Beach at the Dead Sea. We've all seen the pictures of people floating in the water but it's pretty incredible to get in there and feel like you're lying on a floaty. You also notice every single scrape you have on your body once you get in the water - made me really regret those falls I had in training on pommel horse. We came out of the saltwater and mud exfoliated and glowing, ready to take on Masada National Park. 

A quick bus ride later, we were sitting at the Masada visitor's center learning about the Jewish rebels defending the fortress at Masada against Josefius and the Roman army. Although the stronghold fell, the Jewish people look back on the battle as an example of the Jewish resolve to remain free people. We then took a cable car up hundreds of feet to the top of the mountain, where we passed 2012 Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman. We walked around the ancient fortress ruins and took some awesome gymnastics-related pictures along the way, giving our tour guide a heart attack in the process. It was about 100 degrees out while we were exploring the fortress (even at 5pm) and by the time we began our descent to the bus we were hungry and drenched in sweat. 

Luckily the Bedouin people let smelly, hungry Americans into their camp because that's where we went next for the evening. All of Team USA met inside the oasis camp to sample some of the Bedouin cuisine. I think we ate enough during the 4 course meal to last us the rest of the week (or at least until breakfast tomorrow). After dinner a band started playing traditional belly dancing music, and I think every guy in Team USA gathered to watch the belly dancers put on a show. We tried out our own moves but didn't look quite as good (I think we just didn't have the right outfit on). 

Thoroughly exhausted, we're now on the 2 hour trip back to the hotel. It's hard to believe that we've only been here 5 days. We've seen so much already and grown together as a team. I'm excited to see what else is in store for us on this trip (and to sleep in later than 5:30am these next 2 days). 

Thanks for checking in!

Jordan and the rest of Team USA Mens Open Gymnastics

This past Sunday, the Maccabi USA Gymnastics Team was featured on Fox & Friends!!!  Click here to check it out...

2013 Maccabiah Schedule

All Gymnastics Training & Competition will be at: Hadar Yosef - Tel Aviv
ALL SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!!

OPEN WOMEN Schedule:

1. 7/19 (Friday): Training - Time TBD
2. 7/21 (Sunday): Training - Time TBD
3. 7/22 (Monday): Training - Time TBD
4. 7/23 (Tuesday): Training - 12:30-3:30
5. 7/24 (Wednesday): Preliminaries - 4:30-7:00
6. 7/25 (Thursday): Event Finals - 4:00-6:45
7. 7/26 (Friday): Gala Evening Practice - Time TBD
8. 7/27 (Saturday): Gala Evening - 8:00-9:30

JUNIOR WOMEN Schedule:

1. 7/19 (Friday): Training - Time TBD
2. 7/21 (Sunday): Training - Time TBD
3. 7/22 (Monday): Training - Time TBD
4. 7/23 (Tuesday): Training - 9:30-12:30
5. 7/24 (Wednesday): Preliminaries - 11:00-2:00
6. 7/25 (Thursday): Event Finals - 4:00-6:45
7. 7/26 (Friday): Gala Evening Practice - Time TBD
8. 7/27 (Saturday): Gala Evening - 8:00-9:30

OPEN & JUNIOR MEN Schedule:

1. 7/19 (Friday): Training - Time TBD
2. 7/21 (Sunday): Training - Time TBD
3. 7/22 (Monday): Training - Time TBD
4. 7/23 (Tuesday): Competition - 5:30-7:30
5. 7/26 (Friday): Gala Evening Practice - Time TBD
6. 7/27 (Saturday): Gala Evening - 8:00-9:30

Team Apparel

Ok gang...Maccabi USA has begun shipping your Team USA apparel!  Be on the lookout for your gear!

Please email me when you receive it so I can keep track!  Jsb6400@gmail.com

LODGING FOR OPEN TEAMS:
As of now we will be staying at the Leonardo City Tower Hotel in Tel Aviv.

http://www.leonardo-hotels.com/israel-hotels/tel-aviv-hotels/city-tower-tel-aviv

Week 1 Schedule

Week 1 Schedule (Subject to change)

July 11-17, 2013

Day 1: USA team orientation and coaches meetings

Day 2: Morning training 7-9, Tel Aviv tour, beach, and Shabbat dinner

Day 3: Morning training 7-9, Morasha Park, Latrun, USA Team Party 8:00 pm.

Day 4: Morning training 7-9, Jerusalem, return 8:00pm

Day 5: Morning training 7-9, Dead Sea and Masada, Bedouin dinner return is late

Day 6: Morning training likely to be cancelled due to early departure Jerusalem, Bar/Bat mitzvah ceremony return 10:30

Day 7:  Team USA luncheon, depart for Maccabiah venues.

Opening ceremony – July 18th Teddy Stadium Jerusalem