Yaniv Dajman, center back for the Westlake High School Varsity soccer team. Courtesy: Jami Dajman

By Mark Pattis

Two Austin Jewish athletes, Mia Vaisman, a tenth grader at Anderson High School, and Yaniv Dajman, a tenth grader at Westlake High School, recently returned from Buenos Aires, Argentina after representing the United States of America in a 10-day competition at the Pan-American Maccabi Games. Vaisman and Dajman were joined by over 500 Jewish athletes from the U.S., 27 countries, and a total of approximately 4,000 athletes. Both teens represented the U.S. and Austin community with pride, joy and a competitive fire.

Vaisman, an Anderson High School varsity tennis player, and previous bronze medal winner for Team Austin at the JCC Maccabi Games in San Diego, California, took her talents to Argentina this winter break. Throughout the 10-day trip, she played approximately three matches per day. After little sleep, exhaustion and some illness throughout the week, she refused to back out and ultimately placed fourth in 16U Girls Doubles, alongside a fellow USA teammate from Washington D.C. Vaisman and her partner lost in the bronze medal game to two recognizable athletes from Mexico, who Vaisman competed against in the previous regional Maccabi Games.

Dajman, center back for the Westlake High School Varsity Soccer Team, sent highlight videos and clips to Team USA, and was selected as one of 18, 16U Jewish soccer players to represent Team USA. Some other U.S. cities that were represented on Dajman’s team include Miami, Los Angeles, St. Louis and New York. Team USA defeated Brazil with a score of 2-1 in the semi-finals, ultimately setting up a rematch with Argentina in the finals. Team USA fell just short, losing 2-0, and taking home the silver medal.

Maccabi USA envisions a world where sports serve as a galvanizing force in strengthening Jewish pride, connection, and community. After speaking with Austin’s two athletes, it became very clear that this vision of Maccabi USA came to life during their immersive trip to Buenos Aires.

Both Vaisman and Dajman, commented on the pride they felt for Israel and being Jewish. “Every morning, they played the Hatikvah, (the Israeli National anthem) and made me feel pride in our Jewish homeland, especially post October 7”, said Vaisman. Dajman was in awe when all the athletes and coaches gathered for services in the convention center. “It was amazing to be surrounded by so many other Jewish people from around the world during shabbat services. Everyone had different cultures and it all came together, around being Jewish, in Buenos Aires.” Both athletes expressed their immense feelings of pride while attending the Opening Ceremonies, as all participants held Israeli flags as they walked into the stadium. Dajman met the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina, Marc Stanley, and they both had a chance to listen to the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, speak in front of a packed crowd of over 10,000 people at Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires.

Vaisman and Dajman both made friends with Jewish teens around the world, and it didn’t hurt that they each respectively spoke multiple languages. Dajman gravitated towards the Brazilian delegation, as a fluent Portuguese speaker, and Vaisman met a lot of Argentinian athletes as a fluent Spanish speaker, whose mother, Dalila, is also from Argentina. Vaisman and Dajman still stay connected with the athletes they met from the U.S. and abroad, emphasizing the program’s ability to strengthen “Jewish Peoplehood.”

When asked what they would say to anyone interested in participating in the Pan American Maccabi Games, Vaisman said, “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet so many new people and build relationships. There is good competition, and it will make you better in your sport.” Dajman said this about his experience, “100% go for it! It was already the best part of the year, and I will always remember this trip. Even though we didn’t win gold, the experience so worth it, and I met so many great people