Twins Double Their Soccer Expertise
Ari and Tal Elkounovitch support each other and travel the world to play soccer, just like they do at home.
After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.
The Elkounovitch soccer family went to London for just over a week of tournaments where the U.S. sent a delegation of athletes to participate in the European Maccabi Games ahead of the Israel games next year. Ari Elkounovitch, the only Georgia soccer player chosen to represent Jewish USA, was born in South Africa, on July 4, 2008, alongside twin brother, Tal. The family immigrated to Atlanta in 2010.
Ari started playing soccer at age 2, then went from the Atlanta Jewish Academy to Saint Francis School and is currently a student at Riverwood International Charter High School where he is a varsity wrestler and taekwondo black belt.
His twin, Tal, also loves soccer and plays at a less competitive level. Mom, Romi, said, “He is very proud of his brother and never jealous. Tal played for Maccabi for the last three years representing Team Atlanta in San Diego, Israel, and Detroit. They are best friends and love doing things together.”
When Ari and Tal played for Atlanta soccer in the JCC Maccabi Games in Israel, they were spotted by a Dallas-area scout and asked for video footage. After clips were made, even though Ari was on the “younger “side, the coaches thought he was strong enough to compete. Ari plays left or right wing; but with Maccabi he plays other positions as he’s flexible enough to play forward. Tal plays center mid-back and is used to defending against Ari when they play at home together.
For the important London game, Ari scored one goal and assisted on another goal in the final win against Germany. Due to the long distances between players, there was no practice until they all met in London the day before the games.
Romi explained, “All year long they were expected to be ‘soccer fit,’ and all play at very high levels. They really needed to quickly get to know each other and absorb what the coach expected. They did have specific requirements at home, like running at a certain time — five kilometers every day.”
In Atlanta, Ari practices at least six hours a week and plays two to four games per weekend.
However, accidents do happen … and six weeks before the Maccabi games Ari fractured his tibial plateau (below the knee) in club soccer tryouts and injured some ligaments. Luckily, mom Romi is a physiotherapist and orchestrated an elaborate and successful rehab so that he healed just in time to compete. More recently, Ari flew to Dallas in late August for tryouts for July 2025 Israel Maccabi Games. Parents and fans are hoping for positive news in September.
Dad, Ron, described the pervasive Jewish spirit in London mingling with parents from various states and different levels of religious observance. “We were all wearing hostage tags, yellow ribbon, ‘bring them home’ caps and T-shirts and agreed how we have all reawakened since Oct. 7, and more so our kids’ loud and proud Jewish identity. We toured London a week before the games as a family to help avoid jet lag for Ari. Being cautious about antisemitism there, we asked Ari and Tal to remove their Star of David and chai necklaces; they absolutely refused!”
In case the ups and downs of tournament play are not enough, the twins recall their unique bar mitzvah during COVID. They always wanted their ceremony to be held in Israel. After lengthy communication with the Israeli embassy, vaccinating, and praying, three days before the bar mitzvah, they received special permission to enter Israel — only since Ron was born there and was granted this exception.
Romi recalled, “The twin boys, who were Levis on Rosh Chodesh at the bar mitzvah at the Kotel, were beyond special. We had yet another celebration at Congregation Beth Tefillah in Atlanta, and then a lively party on a dance floor over our pool!”
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