AJ Edelman is Israel’s national skeleton athlete, representing Israel in international competitions. A promising ice-hockey prospect in high school, AJ attended Maimonides School in Brookline, MA, opting to remain there to continue his Jewish education in lieu of accepting offers from top prep schools. AJ went on to compete at the collegiate level for MIT, after a gap-year at Yeshivat Lev Hatorah in Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel.

After graduating from MIT, AJ joined the Israel Bobsled and Skeleton Federation as the national athlete. After four successful races in the 2014—15 season, AJ shot to 91st in the world rankings; he will participate in 12—14 races in the 2015—16 season and qualify a spot at the World Championships in Igls, Austria.

AJ’s goal is to qualify Israel for the first time for the Winter Olympic Games in the sliding sport of skeleton, and in so doing inspire other Jewish and Israeli youth to pursue their own athletic goals, even in the winter sports, and at high performance levels of competition.

AJ’s seasons cost over $40,000 and all costs are assumed by the athlete. A crowdfunding campaign debuted on August 10, to help lessen the financial burden for the coming 2015—16 season and to promote awareness of the efforts to qualify Israel for the games.

More information about AJ can be found at Israelskeleton.com/about.

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