Posted on 07/10/2009 11:14:07 PM PDT by IsraelBeach
18th Maccabiah Jewish Israel Olympics Push Web 2.0, SEO, New Media Social Networking
By Herb Brandon
Israel News Agency
Jerusalem, Israel ---- July 10, 2009 ...... The 18th Jewish Maccabiah Games in Israel are among the first leading global sports and cultural organizations to unleash the full power of new media, SEO -search engine optimization social networking.
"The most powerful means to reach millions of people today is through Web 2.0," says Joel Leyden, president of the Leyden Communications Internet Marketing Group who serves as an digital PR and international media advisor to the 18th Maccabiah Games.
"New media social networking applications such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Blogger, Skype and YouTube now rule the Internet. Whether you are 18 or 80, if you are not on Facebook or checking out the Twitter feed - you and or your organization does not exist. With a click of a mouse, one can reach millions in seconds and we have seen this most recently in Iran where the use of Twitter is helping to bring about democracy in that nation. Print newspapers and broadcast TV are rapidly declining as Net surfers interact with one another for both personal and commercial gain."
Leyden continues: "For the 18th Maccabiah Games, the use of social networking is critical. There are three elements which ensure the survival of Israel - the Israel security services, the Israel Defense Forces and Diaspora Jews who invest in Israel either financially or through their presence in coming to Israel. New media, SEO and social networking enables these people to support the Maccabiah Games, Israel and the very existence of the Jewish nation. Whether it is to announce when an event will take place, who won that event or just to meet friends for coffee or beer, an SEO search engine optimized Web site, real time communications through Twitter and Facebook make it happen."
The 18th Maccabiah Organizing Committee today announced that in addition to embracing SEO and new media social networking tools for public relations and fund raising, that an updated 18th Maccabiah Website has just been launched at www.Maccabi.org. This Maccabi World Union Website is providing background information on the MWU, providing links to real time cultural, educational and sports events and news at the Maccabiah Games through Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, the Israel News Agency and Google News. Michael Broukhim, a respected Website developer from California who produced the new 18th Maccabiah Website and Joel Leyden have joined forces at the Kfar Maccabi Headquarters in Ramat Gan.
At least two official Twitter feeds are now in place: maccabiah and israelmaccabiah.
"One must give credit to where credit is due," says Leyden." "Eyal Tiberger, the Director General of the 18th Maccabiah realized the value of implementing Web 2.0 social networking for the Games. Amir Peled, the Honorary Treasurer, Jeanne Futeran, the President of Maccabi World Union, and Nirit Harel French, the Executive Director of the Maccabi World Union in North America and Yaron Michaeli, the domestic public relations professional for the Jewish 18th Maccabiah Games have been more than cooperative in helping us Internet marketing and SEO editorial, design and programming geeks get this new media off the ground.
This year’s 18th Maccabiah kicks off with an opening ceremony at the Ramat Gan Stadium on Monday night, July 13. Three time Gold medal Olympian swimmer Jason Lezak of the US team, will light the flame. The Maccabiah Twitter feeds and Facebook groups expect to see unparalleled participant activity overshadowing any event that has taken place in Israel. JLTV will be broadcasting live sports news and features and producing exciting videos for YouTube which will be embedded in Web 2.0 social networking news releases and news stories from the Maccabiah.
As the world’s third largest sports event after the Olympics, the Maccabiah Games plays host to 3000 junior Maccabiah athletes, aged 15 -18; 5,000 open athletes, 2,000 masters and Paralympics.
In addition to the visitors, Israel will itself be fielding a team of more than 2,000 athletes.
From the US, Canada, France, Argentina and Brazil to Finland, Holland, Russia, the UK and Spain, more than 56 nations will be represented at the 18th Maccabiah Jewish Games in Israel.
Sports for which competitors will be going for Gold include: artistic gymnastics, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, bridge, cricket, chess, fencing, golf, gymnastics, handball, half-marathon, field hockey, judo, karate, netball, lawn bowls, rowing, rugby, squash, soccer, softball, swimming, table-tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, track and field, ten-pin bowling, volleyball, water polo, wrestling and windsurfing.
"For the first time, all Jews in all countries will be able to participate in the Maccabiah games," says Leyden.
"They will be able to watch and comment in real time on each and every sports event taking place in Israel. But more than that the 18th Maccabiah will not only be bringing together 7,000 Jewish athletes from around the world, but rather connecting millions of Jews and Christians to one another in a majestic event which illustrates the essence of culture, democracy and Zionism in Israel and throughout the Jewish nation."
Theres a standup event right? Theres just gotta be.
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