Emanu El member gets second shot at gold in Israel

Twenty years ago, Michael Rubenstein traveled to Israel to represent the United States in the 1997 Maccabiah Games.

For most, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, both on and off the basketball court.

Rubenstein, however, will get the rare opportunity to relive the adventure two decades later as part of the 2017 United States Maccabiah Masters basketball team.

�I�ve joked that my basketball career peaked at 17 and 36,� Rubenstein said. �It�s really kind of funny, but I�m extremely excited. It�s going to be great to experience. I can�t wait.�

Rubenstein, a member of Congregation Emanu El, decided to try out for the age 35 and up team after feeling like there was some unfinished business from his last experience.

�We had a really talented team, but we ended up not doing very well in the tournament,� he said. �It�s always been on my mind that I want to go back and do it again.�

There was also a horrible accident during the opening ceremonies, when a bridge collapsed and several people died.

�It was supposed to be a real joyous occasion, but it kind of took a tragic turn,� he said. �It was still an incredible experience, but there was something that has always been in the back of my brain to redo the experience and do it differently.�

When Rubenstein found out about the tryouts for the 2017 Games, he said it was a no-brainer. After making the team, he attended training camps in Miami, Los Angeles, Phoenix.

Rubenstein, a UT grad, has been working out locally at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC, training each morning with another former Maccabiah medal winner, Marty Appelbaum.

�Very few players have the talent and the work ethic needed to maintain their body and game into their 30s and older,� Appelbaum said. �Michael has both the talent and the work ethic.�

�In addition to playing and lifting, Michael is relentlessly working on his game most mornings with on-court drills and conditioning before the sun rises.�

Rubenstein describes himself as a passionate player who brings a lot of energy to the basketball court. As a guard, he is a good shooter and a team player.

The U.S. team, along with host Israel, are the traditional favorites. Russia, Argentina, Chile and Australia will join them in pool play, with the top two teams playing for gold.

Of course, a big part of the Maccabiah Games is what happens off the court, as well. A typical non-game day could be a practice in the morning and then a trip to Masada or to the Wall in Jerusalem in the afternoon.

�There is always a combination of sports and building Jewish pride,� Rubenstein said. �It is definitely an important part of the experience. That�s what is so great about it.

�One of my memories from 20 years ago, when that tragedy happened, was we had all these people who did not speak the same language and at the memorial service, everyone was doing it together in Hebrew. That is something that really stayed with me.�

Rubenstein, who is the founder and managing director of a real estate development company, will be joined in Israel by his wife, Jodi, and daughter, Ebie.

While the team will go early to train, the Maccabiah Games officially will take place July 4-18.

�It�s been an incredible experience so far and hopefully it will only get better in Israel,� Rubenstein said.