Six American gold medalists in the recently held 10th Maccabiah games have said they plan to settle permanently in Israel and are looking into job prospects in their particular fields. The group is receiving assistance from an Israeli coach and from the American Committee Sports for Israel which sponsored the 300-member U.S. Maccabiah contingent.
The prospective immigrants are: Elias Jerassi, who was born in Haifa and wants to enroll in medical school here, who won a gold medal in the hammer-throw; Joe Gould, 22, of Los Angeles, who won two gold and two silver medals in track and field events and wants to continue his career as a gym instructor in Israel; Ken Kring, 26, who aspires to be a psychologist, and his brother, Barry; Jay Pushkin, of New York, a discus thrower; and Gerry Cohen of Arizona, who won the five and ten-kilometer races.
It was learned that about 80 other Maccabiah participants from abroad have extended their stays in Israel to consider the possibility of settling here. The Maccabiah games ended July 21.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.