Newton Resident Wins Gold at Pan Am Maccabi Games

The following is a press release issued by Beaver Country Day School: 

Sau Paulo, Brazil, January 1 - West Newton’s Sherry Levin, head coach of the women's basketball team representing the United States at the 12th Pan Am Maccabi Games in Sau Paulo, Brazil, led her team to a gold medal. Levin is also Athletic Director and head girls’ basketball coach at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill.

Similar to the Olympics, the Maccabi Games is held every four years and focuses on celebrating Jewish traditions and heritage through sports.

The championship game saw the USA take on a talented team from Israel, but the depth and skill of the USA prevailed with a 61-35 victory.

"The experience of competing internationally is one I will always treasure," said Levin, whose team went 5-0 en route to the gold. "Winning gold was the culmination of our team working hard at our three day pre-camp and extraordinary team chemistry. We came from nine different states but played unselfish unified basketball. Sharing the adventure with fellow Jewish athletes from the USA and 1700 athletes from around the world connected us all though our heritage."

The 12th Pan Am Games began with the Opening Ceremony on December 26th. It featured the parade of athletes in the indoor Credicard Arena. Famed Israeli singer DuDu Fisher was a featured performer who sang a moving rendition of "Hatikva", the Israeli National Anthem. The audience was entertained by Brazilian performers and video presentations of the history of the Pan Am games. A resounding cheer was heard when the torch was lit, signifying the opening of the games.

"Sau Paulo is a busy and sprawling city. High rise buildings and large apartment complexes seemed to be spread out over miles. The people were welcoming and the architecture unique," commented Levin who has participated in the World Maccabiah Games in Israel four times. 

"Marcia Zimmerman, my daughter, was the manager of the team and sharing the experience with her was even more special.  My family has always been supportive and this medal was shared with them too."

Levin's first World Maccabiah experience was in 1981 when she won a silver medal as a member of the USA Women's Open basketball team in the 11th World Maccabiah Games in Israel. Levin also won a silver medal as a member of the 4x400m relay team. She was a USA team manager in 1985 and produced the USA promotional video in 1989 and 1993. In 2001 Levin was a co-chair for the women's open team. She currently is a Maccabi USA Board Member.

"The Maccabiah experience has been something that has stayed with me. The people and the bonds that are made are everlasting. Each medal and each games have their own imprint on them which makes the adventure meaningful.