"Success is not about the medals, but about how many Jewish athletes we brought to Israel"

For over four decades — including eight years as President — Jeff Bukantz has shaped the story of Maccabi USA. A gold medalist in fencing at the 1989 Maccabiah, following in the footsteps of his father Dan who won gold in 1950, Jeff has served in countless leadership roles, bringing the movement to new heights. He was MUSA's First Vice President, General Chair of USA Maccabiah Organizing Committees, leader of delegations to regional Maccabi games and Maccabiot, and a longtime member of the Executive Committee.

In 2022, he received the prestigious Yakir Maccabi Award, was elected into the United States Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2024, the USA Fencing Hall of Fame in 2025, and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.

Beyond Maccabi, Jeff also refereed at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, served as captain of the USA Olympic fencing team in Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008), and later as fencing analyst for NBC/Universal at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In 2024, he worked for the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), and currently, he is the Lead Commentator for the International Fencing Federation (FIE).

His proudest achievement, however, is not the titles or the medals, but the thousands of Jewish athletes he has helped connect to Israel, Jewish identity, and the global Maccabi family.

Now, as he steps down as President, Jeff begins his new chapter as Maccabi International Honorary Secretary, working closely with Shirit Saks Haim, Honorary Secretary Israel.

We invited him to share his reflections on this incredible journey —here they are, in his own words:

"My late father, Dan, was an Olympic fencer and referee. When I was a teenager, he told me about competing at the 3rd Maccabiah in 1950, the first Games held after the Holocaust. He explained that after serving in World War 2 and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, he felt obligated to show solidarity for Israel. He won the gold medal in individual foil, but made it clear that wasn't the main reason for going.

In a lifelong journey to try to follow in my dad’s fencing footsteps, I was driven to win that gold medal. Yes, as a bright-eyed 24-year-old, I entered Maccabi Movement at the 11th Maccabiah in 1981, thinking that winning medals was the primary goal. Now, I leave as a much wiser 68-year-old fully understanding that winning medals is anything but the primary goal of our Mission.

That’s why Maccabi USA leadership has always made it mandatory to participate in the entire Israel Connect (formerly known as Pre-Camp) cultural and educational program, the flagship of our Mission. For a million dollars, I couldn’t tell you how many medals we won at the Maccabiah, but I could tell you how many Jewish athletes participated in Israel Connect.

Of course, the medals mattered too. My pursuit of my father Dan’s gold medal took 8 long years. In 1981, I took 4th, not even winning a medal. In 1985, I took the bronze in foil. I won the gold in epee, but that was a consolation prize, as it wasn’t my dad’s foil gold.

In 1989, I had a dilemma, as I was ranked #2 in the United States and was supposed to go to the World Championships, which were held at the same time as the Maccabiah. However, I knew I had to go to Israel for one last chance to win that elusive gold medal.

Finally, after trailing Noam Katz from Israel 7-5, I came back to win 10-7 and win the gold my dad won 39 years earlier. I won 11 Maccabiah medals, something I’ll always be proud of.

However, I am a lot prouder that I learned there were many more important things to be proud of than winning medals. I’m proud to have played a role in Maccabi USA’s transition from the Maccabiah being a one-dimensional Olympic-style event to a much more meaningful and impactful multi-dimensional experience. I’m proud that I encouraged Maccabi USA to embrace Amir Peled’s 'Bigger is Better' mantra. I’m proud of having instituted the Stuart Weitzman Endowment for Athletes in Need, which has grown to 9.6 million, so no American Jewish athlete will ever be left behind. I will always be proudest for having played a role in exposing thousands of Jewish athletes to their heritage and the State of Israel.

Photo credit: Gilad Kavalerchik 

I remember attending my first Plenum back in the 90s. I didn’t know even one person from the Diaspora. I am so blessed to have made so many wonderful friends over the decades from all over the world.

It has been an amazing journey, and other than raising my children, the most gratifying experience of my life.

Thanks to everyone who has shared it with me.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Maccabi Chai!

Chazak Ve-Ematz!"

Thank you, Jeff, for leaving a lasting legacy of pride, shared purpose, and Jewish continuity that will inspire generations to come! We wish you great success in your new chapter!