Former Winnipegger Andrea Schaffer now living in Toronto is on her way to Israel to play for the
Women’s Softball Team at the Maccabiah Games beginning July 17th, 2013. She will be joined by another Winnipegger along with athletes from Ontario and Quebec. This is the first time the women’s softball team has been fortunate enough to have Winnipeg representation.

The Maccabiah Games, a prominent international sports competition held every four years in Israel, is one of the top three gatherings of athletes in the world. Close to 9,000 athletes are expected to proudly represent close to 70 countries and compete for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.

The games are broadcasted to a world-wide audience, including the spectacular opening ceremonies attended by 40,000 enthusiastic spectators cheering for their countries and athletes.

Maccabi Canada’s mission is promoting Jewish identity and cultivating future leadership and support for Israel through the passion of sport.

Schaffer, 32, and her teammates are fundraising for this exciting opportunity to represent Canada at the fourth largest sporting event in the world. The cost to send a team to participate is quite substantial. 

“We are currently selling ads for the “Making the Maccabi Dream Come True” Games Book,” said Schaffer.

This book will share the essence of the experience by profiling each team, athlete and volunteer.  It will include pictures from the Maccabiah Games and the achievements of each team and athlete. Over 5,000 copies of the book will be distributed nation-wide. It will be given as a souvenir to each delegation member and major donor in the fall of 2013.

Schaffer is also utilizing her hobby of Challah baking as a creative fundraising technique.

“I am baking challah weekly as a way to raise funds. Each week I accept orders on Facebook for my friends living in Downtown Toronto and then I bike over a freshly baked loaf or two.”

Schaffer added, “I make sweet challah with raisins or baked apples. I make savory challot with zatar and olives, or onions and poppy seed. The flavours have been a big hit and I've taught myself some fancy braids to boot. I wish I could find a way to send a shipment to Winnipeg as I seem to get shout outs each week from Winnipeggers who would be happy to buy my product in support of the team.”

“We are reaching out to the Jewish communities in Winnipeg and Toronto to appeal for financial assistance to help support our Women's Softball team.”

Schaffer a former Camp Massad Councillor and Hanhallah (administration) member in 2002 is also a JWC alumni having graduated in 1998. She played softball for Garden City in her youth and has a master’s degree in Education from Brandeis University.