Ankie Spitzer Leads N.Y. Moment of Silence
Ankie Spitzer led a minute of silence to honor the 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team killed in a terror attack at the 1972 Munich Games during the opening ceremonies of the JCC Maccabi Games.
Spitzer, the widow of an Israeli coach who was killed at the 1972 Games, led the minute of silence streamed live around the world on Sunday evening at the JCC Maccabi Games opening ceremonies at the JCC Rockland in suburban New York.
“Maybe, at the London games, we did not get the minute, but let me assure you, we did not have silence either. For 40 years, we walked this long and lonely road by ourselves, but not anymore,” Spitzer said at the event. “Two years ago, I came here to the JCC Rockland and the JCC decided to dedicate the Maccabi Games to the memory of our loved ones. They were the ones who initiated the petition on the internet, and through this petition the world woke up.”
The JCC Rockland had initiated a petition drive, which turned into an international campaign, to hold a moment of silence at the opening ceremonies of the London Olympics in memory of the 11 Israeli athletes and coaches killed by Palestinians terrorists at the Munich Olympics. The International Olympic Committee turned down the request despite high-profile supporters such as President Obama, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and governments around the world.
Some 1,225 athletes from 36 delegations from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Mexico and Venezuela will compete in sporting events this week.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
