Athlete Profile: Rebecca Bormel

By: Danielle Chazen

The JCC Maccabi Baltimore dance team recently competed in Detroit and won 25 medals and two choreography awards due to the leadership of its oldest member and captain, Rebecca Bormel, 16.

The team performed in 12 dances and collectively earned nine gold, eight silver, and eight bronze medals. Bormel's lyrical solo and a modern duet by Sarah Greenberg and Erin Kuntz also won choreography awards.

The 2008 team, which consists of seven dancers, is one of the youngest Baltimore dance teams in years, with Bormel being the only 16-year-old member. Bormel has therefore stepped up to the plate to act as a leader and motivator to her younger teammates.

Sarah Flax, the team's coach, said that although this is her second year coaching, she still feels that Bormel is often coaching her. Flax said Bormel has been beyond helpful and has contributed greatly to the team's organization and choreography.

"Rebecca Bormel is quite amazing, and I am not only talking about her dance ability. All in all, she has been my right hand in this whole process and I really don't know where I would be without her," Flax said.

Bormel also acts as a leader in the community and was selected as the sole recipient of the Charles Levine Tikkun Olam Award, given to an athlete who demonstrates excellence in community service.

Bormel was selected for this award because of her responsibility as president of Carver Center for Arts and Technology's student council, her involvement in the JCC Maccabi Athletes Club and her dedication to volunteering at the JCC and The Associated.

"Rebecca's involvement in Maccabi extends beyond athletics. Her commitment to the overall Maccabi experience through the Athletes Club and her involvement in multiple community service initiatives is something all teens should strive towards," said Paul Lurie, Baltimore's Delegation Head.

Bormel, who won five medals -- two golds, two silvers and one bronze -- had high expectations for this week and her team's ability to succeed since this was her last year to compete in the games.

"She always goes the extra mile to make sure not only her dancing and image is secure, but that the entire team is beyond presentable and ready for the games," Flax said.

Bormel said she loves to compete because she believes being on stage is "the best feeling in the world."

"When you are on stage you can forget about all of your problems and put all of your feelings into the steps and combinations," she said.

Bormel was drawn to the JCC Maccabi Games because she was excited to meet people from all over the country and world.

"I like the fact that people from all around the world dance some of the same styles even though they grow up in totally different environments. Dance has become a universal form of expression," she said.

In Detroit, Bormel competed in a total of five dances, including two large group dances in the categories of Israeli and jazz, a lyrical solo to "Strong" by Jordyn Taylor, a jazz duet to "It Was All In Your Mind" by Wade Robson and an open duet to a Missy Elliot mix.

Coach Flax said that with four returning team members and three new determined dancers, she was certain the team would not return home empty-handed.

Posted September 8, 2008