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By JTA Staff<\/p>\n
(JTA) \u2013 The London Olympics may have \u201clit up the world,\u201d as organizing committee head Sebastian Coe put it, but for Jews the 2 1\/2 weeks offered healthy doses of frustration and glory. On the plus side, new medalists such as America\u2019s Aly Raisman gained the spotlight with her grace, which included a floor routine to “Hava Nagila” en route to a U.S. women\u2019s team gold in gymnastics. She followed that with an individual gold for floor exercise and a bronze on the balance beam.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, New Zealand\u2019s Jo Aleh brought home a gold for Kiwi fans in the women\u2019s 470 regatta and Australian kayaker Jessica Fox won a silver medal in the slalom K1. They joined in their glory with previous medalists such as U.S. swimmer Jason Lezak, who helped his relay team win a silver in the 4×100-meter freestyle in what was likely the last of his four Olympics. Yet the game\u2019s opening ceremony ended hopes that the International Olympic Committee would officially recognize with a moment of silence the 11 Israeli athletes murdered 40 years ago at the Munich Games by Palestinian terrorists. An international campaign for a moment of silence had the support of President Obama and numerous other world leaders.<\/p>\n
And Israel\u2019s athletes — for the first time in 24 years — went home without a single medal, which has prompted conversation about the country\u2019s lack of commitment to Olympics excellence. Israel’s rhythmic gymnastics team made it to the finals, but on Sunday it finished last among the eight teams in the all-around group competition. Two Israeli citizens, however, are coming home with some Olympic glory. David Blatt, an American-Israeli, coached Russia\u2019s bronze-winning men\u2019s basketball team and Aleh will soon make a family visit to the Jewish state.<\/p>\n