The Chrysler Foundation Announces $250,000 Sponsorship of the 2008 Jewish Community Center (JCC) Association of North America Maccabi Games in Metropolitan Detroit

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 18, 2008 -- The Chrysler Foundation has announced a $250,000 sponsorship of the 2008 Jewish Community Center (JCC) Association of North America Maccabi Games hosted by the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit. This competition is held each summer at several select cities throughout the United States and it is the largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world.

"Chrysler is extremely pleased to play a part in bringing the games back to an area where the Jewish community has long been a pillar of our local culture, and actively engaged at all levels of public life," Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President - Product Development, Chrysler LLC, said. "At Chrysler, we're also committed to improving the quality of life, as well as supporting youth development programs that help young adults realize their full potential."

From Aug. 17 - 22, the JCC of Metropolitan Detroit will host the Maccabi Games for the fourth time. More than 3,000 Jewish teens from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Mexico and Venezuela will come together for a week of competition, community service and social activities in Detroit. It has been 10 years since the games were last played in Michigan.

Fourteen sports will be represented and as many as 25 tournaments will be played concurrently. The combined games are the largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world.

"Each summer more than 6,000 Jewish teens participate in the games; more than 100,000 teens have benefited from the JCC Maccabi Games since 1982," Mark A. Lit, Executive Director - The Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, said. "The energy and excitement make it a unique and unforgettable experience for every participant, from athletes to volunteers, from coaches to host families."

The games are co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Center Association of North America, Maccabi World Union, Maccabi Canada and Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel.