Reading more about the event I learned the US delegation brings a robust volunteer medical team with them to support their athletes. However, the current delegation would look different.  For this 21^st Maccabiah Games, the US delegation (over 1300 strong) was looking to expand their team by adding a selection of mental health experts to join their medical team.  ‘Super cool!’ I thought.  ‘We have sports- check, mental health- check, and being in Eretz Yisrael?!  Jackpot!’  An application was immediately submitted.  Sparing you all the boring details, the next 6 months involved being selected (thankfully) and working out details of this new initiative.

Starting Line

Being a mental health professional, I was naturally encouraged Maccabi USA was taking this step to promote mental health.  Not being previously familiar with the event however, I really had no idea what to expect.  Hoping for a meaningful chavaya but not complaining for at least a reason to visit.  Returning from Israel just a few days ago, the experience is fresh and still settling in. In short, it was a one-of-a-kind experience for me with many layers to it.  Generally, I try to observe and take lessons from all my experiences and this one did not disappoint.  There would not be enough space here to unpack it all and do it justice.  In the coming weeks I intend on sharing many small, valuable takeaways through our blog (https://bit.ly/3zDr1kY ) , video series ‘Game On’ that focuses on the intersection of sports and mental health (https://bit.ly/3beE5DN ), and SM platforms. Since many have requested me to share details of this experience, I will start here with some personal takeaways that I hope are meaningful to you.

Flag

Sports = Life

To me, sports and competition has always been a microcosm of real life. The environment under which competition is held and the details within the game reflect everyday interactions.  They just happen to be highlighted under the spotlight of sports.  Pressure, communication, strong emotions, loss, teamwork, negative beliefs, uncertainty, and the list goes on.  So regardless of our individual athletic prowess (or lack thereof) and regardless of our beliefs about the role of sports within the Jewish world, there is much to learned from it if one keeps an open mind. 

Heading to opening ceremonies a Teddy Stadium

Different but the same

One of the more powerful aspects of the 2 weeks I spent with athletes, coaches, and managers was witnessing international connection.  Competing athletes at the games represented 70 different countries.  You heard me. 7-0. It’s actually a bit overwhelming.  Imagine being in a dining room with people from France, Mexico, Hungary, Australia, Columbia, Ukraine, Uruguay, and many more. Try following all those conversations!  All of them identifying as Jews. Sure. Most of them were either unaffiliated or disconnected from much observance.  I found all of them to be respectful, curious, and genuinely interested in getting to know more about Jews from across the globe.  Whether an athlete had a yarmulka on with tzitzis out (I’m looking at you Yahoshafat Stoudamire) or had tattoos and bleached hair, there was a commonality in the air.  That doesn’t mean they agreed on everything.  But they didn’t have to.  Mind you, most athletes did not even meet their teammates in person prior to landing in Israel. Building team chemistry on such short notice was impressive to see. Of course, everyone wanted to win.  That did not stop them from bonding with competitors from other countries and finding a commonality between them.  Heading towards Tisha B’av it was encouraging to see so many Jews, while different in so many aspects, being able to get along so well.

Medals

Don’t underestimate mental health

Don’t get me wrong.  This was one of the coolest experiences I have ever had.  Super fun.  But real life was there too.  The amount of people you meet there is staggering.  Starting with opening ceremonies with 30,000 people in attendance.  Excuse me, 30,001 (President Biden joined as well 😊).  In the elevators, hotel lobbies, and dining halls, everyone is asking where you’re from and what your role is.  Every single time I explained why I was there was followed by an effusive response.  ‘Really? Wow! That’s fantastic! So glad to hear that.’  Mental health is everywhere.  We all have it.  How much we struggle on that continuum is individualized.  But to pretend that it’s not there is simple denial.  Everyone’s response was a testament to how valuable mental health is to people and perhaps they aren’t always afforded the opportunity to express that. 

Soccer In Yerushalayim

Exposed

Statistically speaking, out of 1,300 people there had to be many coming into the Maccabiah Games with prior mental health struggles.  Not every issue our mental health team dealt with was related directly to competition.  I’m unable to share the specifics but it only reinforces the value of us being there.  The stressors of being in a different country, away from family, lack of routine and sleep, and pressures of competition certainly peeled away layers and compounded whatever they might have been struggling with.  I sat with teams at mealtime and heard them discussing intrasquad dynamics.  I was there when inevitable logistical nightmares reared their head for hotel and team managers.  I had the opportunity to observe the modeling and leadership of coaches for better or worse.  To witness how athletes handled the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.  There is only so long one can hold onto a fake veneer.  When spending this much time in close quarters true colors start to shine through.  It’s not about their behavior being positive or negative.  It’s about embracing the opportunity to learn from them.

Team USA on stage at opening ceremonies

Just ask

This entire experience could be labeled as ‘out of the box’.  There were many logical reasons I could have relied on to stay in the comfortable box and not pursue this potential opportunity.  There were a lot of unknowns.  I knew nobody involved and nothing about it.  My role was unclear.  It was a significant time commitment depending on major family support.  I would be of the minority of orthodox people there.  Who knows how they would respond to a therapist being there?  Would it be worth it?   All fair.  However… Without asking we would never know.  Without experiencing we would never learn.  Without the willingness to fail, to put ourselves out there, to try, we would never grow.  One of my favorite words in the English language is curious.  Approaching life, people, experiences, and even challenges with authentic curiosity has allows us to view them as opportunities from which we can learn.

USA Hockey winning gold

Volleyball in action

Wheelchair Basketball

Long Jump

Team Ukraine

Shmuel Fischler is a licensed Clinical Social worker, state approved clinical supervisor, and certified Cognitive Therapist through the Academy of Cognitive Therapy.  Shmuel has extensive experience working in community mental health, school systems, and community non-profits.  He owns and directs CBT Baltimore, a thriving clinical practice providing specialized treatment for OCD, anxiety spectrum disorders, and depressive disorders.  Shmuel lectures and consults nationally for organizations, schools, and universities such as Johns Hopkins. Passionate about accessible online content related to mental health, Shmuel hosts a well-received podcast, Mental Filter.

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