Here's a little video of Elana trying out some things on the beam at practice last week. Nothing special, just a little insight into practice sessions...

Opening Ceremonies - Rehearsals Begin

The following post appeared on the Maccabiah Israel website yesterday. Preparations continue.

The Rehearsals for the 18th Maccabiah Opening Ceremony get underway!

7000 of the Maccabiah participants are about to become an active part of the opening show, which will be starting with a cycling grad scene with 200 cyclers. Amongst the artists which will take part in the show: Shiri Maimon, Avraham Tal and Kobi Aflalo.
33 days before the Opening of the 18th Maccabiah games, the rehearsals for the spectacular Opening ceremony, which will take place at the National Stadium in Ramat-Gan, in the presence of the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres, and the PM, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu,got underway in Rishon-Le'Zion's soccer pitch.
The show will be open with a grand scene of more than 200 cyclists on bicycles who will make demonstration shows. The 7000 athletes, which will enter into the stadium, will become a part of the show, directed by Jackie Bachar and produced by Gad Oron.
The Opening Show of the 18th Maccabiah is about to be youthful, contemporary and lively. The main artists which will perform at the show are Shiri Maimon that will renew Ofra Haza's song: "Chai", Avraham Tal, in a unique and surprising performance of Shoshana Damari's song: "Yamin U'Smol" (Right and Left), Kobi Aflalo and Ayala Ingadshat. The hosts of the show will be Galit Giat and Michael Harpaz.

We're Back!

Sorry for the absence, but we are back to blogging as Elana gets ready to depart for Israel. Team USA leaves in just over a month.

I hope to post lots more pictures and video now that I have a new camera. Here's a few gymnastics from the beach this weekend.

Kirk Douglas Leads Group of Maccabiah Supporters

A group of Southern California-based business, entertainment and civic leaders – The “Committee of 18,” spearheaded by business and civic leader Steve Soboroff – have come together to create worldwide awareness and provide unpre-cedented financial and technical support for the 18th Maccabiah World Games in Israel – the quadrennial Jewish Olympics. LOS ANGELES, Calif., USA (February 4, 2009)

Kirk Douglas signed his name in Hebrew on an official Maccabiah Games 2009 jersey. Douglas is a member of the LA-based committee of 18, which is providing $1.5 million in financial support as well as expertise in naming rights, marketing, merchandising and television to make the upcoming 18th Maccabiah Games the first ever to be broadcast outside of Israel. [Full article can be found at www.maccabiah.com]

Israel Gets Ready

Israel is apparently gearing-up for the Maccabiah event. Advertising and hype have started.

USA Teammate

Elana's coach (Kris) took this picture at Maccabi Trial in Oklahoma in December. Pictured with Elana is Ilana Gordon from California who also made the team. They were in the same rotation at the trials and became fast friends. They have been texting back and forth ever since.

Here's a little sample of Elana on the uneven bars at practice last week. Some new skills that she was very happy to get.