2012 U.S. Olympic team and floor exercise gold-medalist Aly Raisman of Needham, Mass./Brestyan’s American Gymnastics, lit the torch during the recent opening ceremony of the 19th Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem, Israel. Raisman, who won the floor Olympic title for her routine performed to “Hava Nagilah,” is visiting the Games as an ambassador. Approximately 9,000 Jewish athletes are competing in the event, which includes approximately 1,100 U.S. athletes.
U.S. Olympic gymnast and gold medalist Aly Raisman lighting the torch during the opening ceremony of the 19th Maccabiah Games at Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium, July 19, 2013. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90/JTA)