About Maccabi USA Wrestling

Maccabi USA Wrestling brings together Jewish wrestlers of all ages to compete, build community, and foster Jewish pride, largely through participation in the quadrennial World Maccabiah Games in Israel. It acts as a platform for athletes to connect with their heritage and strengthen bonds with Israel through elite sport and cultural, educational programming.

Maccabi USA Wrestling is a branch of Maccabi USA, a non-profit organization that uses sports to build Jewish pride and connection to Israel. The wrestling program focuses on identifying and training Jewish wrestlers to compete in the Maccabiah Games (the "Jewish Olympics") and other international competitions like the Pan American and European Maccabi Games

Core Objectives

Jewish Identity: Strengthening Jewish pride and connection to the global Jewish community and Israel.

Athletic Excellence: Providing a high-level competitive platform for Jewish wrestlers of all ages. Many of our Maccabi USA Wrestling athletes have been successful at all levels of the sport.

Community Building: Organizing local and national events to foster a supportive network for Jewish amateur wrestlers in the U.S. Maccabi USA Wrestling continues to bring the Jewish wrestling community together.

Key Programs & Competitions

The Maccabiah Games: Held every four years in Israel, this is the flagship event where the USA team competes in Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Beach Wrestling.

Lions of Maccabiah Tournament: A national-level tournament specifically for Jewish wrestlers in U17 and Senior age groups, often held in Pennsylvania to identify talent and raise funds.

Israel Connect: A mandatory week-long cultural immersion program for athletes prior to the Maccabiah Games, including historical tours and identity seminars.

Success & Participation

The U.S. has a storied history in wrestling at the Games, having won over 170 medals (including 77 golds) across documented history. Amit Elor and Henry Wittenberg are prominent American Jewish wrestling Olympians, with Elor winning gold in 2024 and Wittenberg in 1948. Amit Elor, a 20-year-old Israeli-American, became the youngest U.S. wrestler to win Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games. Henry Wittenberg won gold (1948) and silver (1952) in light heavyweight freestyle, later coaching at Yeshiva University.  Ken Chertow represented the USA in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.