Deerfield Touches More Maccabiah Gold

Deerfield's Michael Goldberg and Michael Orzoff, a 1988 Deerfield High School graduate, became the latest Deerfield connection to a growing local medal winners at the 19th Maccabiah Games Friday in Israel.

Goldberg and Orzoff helped the United State masters—over 40—team defeat Canada, 7-4, take the ice hockey gold medal after a semifinal victory over Russia. Does that sound familiar for international ice competition in another venue?

Earlier this week, Scott Plonsker, Adam Rabushka and Marissa Levy all stood on the Maccabiah medal stand to receive honors in their sports. Plonsker, a 2013 Deerfield High School graduate, was the gold medal winner for his weight class in karate.

Rabushka, a 2012 Deerfield High School graduate and currently a student and member of the track team at Emory University, won a silver medal for the United States as a member of the 4x400 relay.

In his individual events, Rabushka grabbed bronze medals for the Americans in the 110-meter hurdles and 400 hurdles. While a Warrior, he earned a number of track honors and competed in the State Meet.

Levy, a 2013 Deerfield High School graduate, earned a bronze badminton medals both singles and doubles, according to the Maccabi USA Facebook Page. She was also a National Merit Finalist and a Central Suburban League champion this past season.

Earlier this week, 2013 Deerfield High School graduate Scott Plonsker was the gold medal winner for his weight class in karate.

A quadrennial event for Jewish athletes held since 1932, 12,000 athletes from 80 nations are taking part in the games which opened Thursday and conclude July 30. It is the third largest international sports competition in the world after the Olympics and the World University Games.

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