Benjamin Dorman, of Great Neck, has been appointed by Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel as a member of the Open Men's Basketball Team representing the United States at the 12th European Maccabi Games in Rome, Italy. The Games will take place July 2 to 13.

Dorman, a 6' 6" junior at Great Neck North High School, has been a Varsity starter for the past two years, and as a freshman played on the JV basketball team. He was selected to the 2007 Nassau County Top 40 All-Star Team, and received the Coaches Award for Most Dedicated in 2005 and 2006. In his free time, Dorman is the assistant director of the Great Neck PAL Basketball Program. He also had the opportunity to play basketball at the JCC Maccabi Games in 2005 and 2006, where each year he was the co-captain and leading scorer, as well as receiving a Silver medal in 2005 and a Gold medal in 2006.

When asked about his expectations for the 12th European Maccabi Games in Rome this summer, Dorman replied, "If the experience off the court is as great as it was in my two JCC Games experience, I know this will be two weeks I will remember for the rest of my life." He continued, "It is such an honor to represent my country, as well as my faith, in such an important event."

"Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel will send its largest team of close to 100 athletes to the 12th European Maccabi Games, in the Open, Youth and Juniors categories, joining an estimated 1,500 athletes from more than 20 countries," said Ricky and Jodi Reff, co-chairs of the U.S. 12th European Maccabi Games Organizing Committee. This is the first time the European Maccabi Games will take place in Rome, the second oldest Jewish community in the world.

Since 1948, Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel has sought to enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The organization is the sponsor of the U.S. Team to the World Maccabiah Games in Israel. It also sponsors U.S. participation in Maccabi competitions in Pan America, Europe and Australia and supports Jewish youth through the JCC Maccabi Games.