On June 29th, 2005, Sam Flax, age 15, journey of a lifetime will begin. He has been selected to be a member of the United States of America Junior soccer team that will compete in Israel at the 17th Annual World Maccabiah Games. The national team will meet in New York to train for four days and then they will join the 700+ athlete delegation and travel to Israel to represent the USA at the games.

The best Jewish athletes from all over the world will come to compete in the Olympic style competition hosted by the State of Israel every four years. For two weeks, Jews of all ages and backgrounds will convene to share their culture, their history and their values in a World Class Competition. This year's expected participation is 7,000+ athletes from over 60 countries. Flax's team alone will be competing with South Africa, Venezuela, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, Argentina, and several European countries.

"I feel so honored to have been selected to represent the United States of America. I got chills when I put my official USA uniform on!" says Flax. Currently playing for the Soccer Association of Columbia U-15 United Premiere team, Sam has been a starting player on the Pikesville High School Varsity team since he was a freshman. Last year, playing a strong midfield, Flax helped the JCC Maccabi Baltimore boy's soccer team win the Silver medal. The Maccabi games are held annually and played only within the Unites States. A versatile player on the field, Flax will most likely play defense on with his new USA team.

This is the first time ever that a junior soccer team from the USA is going to participate in the Maccabiah games and they are "Going for the Gold."

For more information about the games, please cal 410-602-2150 or visit www.maccabiah17.com.