As a small boy, my father, Yehuda Koppel, used to tell a story of how he took my brother and I to the Opening Ceremonies of the Maccabiah Games in Israel.
We watched and proudly cheered loudly for the Israeli team as they entered in their blue-and-white uniforms — and then suddenly we were confused as the USA squad entered the stadium.
Reacting, we abruptly switched our loyalties — and screamed and chanted loudly for the Americans.
You see we identified as American Jews with Israeli roots.
Many years later, as I entered the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem as a member of Team USA for the Maccabiah Games, tears of pride rolled down my cheeks as I recalled my father’s story.
In 2009 and 2013, I competed in Israel on the Masters Tennis Team.
In 2017 I will complete my fourth Maccabiah Games, having traveled to Vienna, Austria in July 2011 as the captain of the United States Masters Tennis Team for the European Maccabi Games.
I was thrilled when I learned that we were competing at the famous Hakoah Sports Center, the Jewish sports club that was smashed by the Nazis and later rebuilt.
I played inspired by my surroundings in Vienna and the history that went along with it. As I received my medals, I stood on the podium at the famous Hakoah and glowed with the achievements of the people of my faith. I could only imagine the atrocities of more than half a century before.
Many memories of my father who lost his loved ones not so far away filled my mind as I won two silver medals in singles and doubles at those Maccabi Games.
Back to this year.
The conditions on the Israeli hard courts in July are steamy. Temperatures soar and go along with sauna-like high humidity.
I am preparing myself physically for a demanding competition.
I will compete against other top international senior players. We sit together after our matches. Jews from around the world. We share stories of playing in our Jewish communities and representing our Federations. We exchange apparel with the emblems of our countries. I have met many friends at these Games.
During the past 30 years, I have played in more than 200 U.S. Tennis Association-sanctioned senior tennis events, but none of them compare to the excitement and experience of the Maccabiah Games tennis tournament.
Every four years the Maccabiah Games (commonly known as the Jewish Olympics) takes center stage in July. Thousands of Jewish athletes from countries around the globe descend on the Holy Land with hopes and dreams of gold and glory.
So much of the fabric of my life is tied to this country. This month, I will travel with my family to Israel for the Games. For me, this will complete a full circle. Two of my sister’s children have also made the team in tennis and rowing. My sons were born in Israel. I lived in Tel Aviv for 20 years. My mother was born in Israel and my dad served in the Israeli military.
My son, Daniel Koppel, age six, will be in the stands as I play this summer at the Maccabiah Games. Suddenly, I am flooded with images of my past. As I look in his eyes, I can return to my childhood memories. I see myself as a little boy… jumping up-and-down amid the excitement of this amazing international sporting competition.
Gil Koppel, of Boca Raton, will compete for the USA Maccabi Masters (ages 35-64) Tennis Team at the Maccabiah Games (Jewish Olympics) in Israel from July 4-18.