Jonathan Feigin

For the past three years, I've focused on intense training with the goal of representing the USA in track and field at the Maccabiah Games in Israel. This journey has also been a deeply personal one, tied to rediscovering my Jewish identity. Growing up, I was very involved in my Jewish heritage, attending Hebrew school, celebrating my Bar Mitzvah, and building a strong foundation in my faith. However, after college, I felt a disconnect from my roots. My college didn't offer a strong Jewish community, so I explored other spiritual paths, even joining a Catholic group. Although that experience helped me appreciate shared values, I missed the familiarity of my own faith.
The turning point came during my senior year when I participated in Taglit Birthright, which reignited my connection to Judaism. Even after returning inspired, I still struggled to find my place in the Jewish community post-college. That is, until I saw a post from a college friend about her journey to the Maccabiah Games. Motivated by this, I began training seriously in South Jersey, aiming to make the team.
Throughout this time, I also reconnected with my roots at B'Nai Tikvah - Beth Israel synagogue, where I had grown up. My involvement deepened as I attended Shabbat services regularly and joined the Torah reading committee. Moving to Old Bridge, NJ, to be with my fiancée, I searched for a new synagogue and found a welcoming community at Congregation Ahavat Olam in Howell.
This spiritual journey has brought me immense joy and a stronger connection to God. My regular Torah readings and Shabbat attendance have helped me fully embrace my heritage, which has fueled my dedication to training for the Maccabiah Games. Now, as I prepare to represent Team USA this summer, I carry with me the strength of my faith, my journey of self-discovery, and the support of my community