(JTA) — Some 4,000 Jewish athletes from at least 20 countries will participate in the Pan American Maccabi Games in Chile.

The 13th edition of the quadrennial sporting event will be held in Santiago from Dec. 28 to Jan. 4. Athletes from South, Central and North America, as well as Israel and guest countries such as Australia and South Africa, are scheduled to participate.

The Pan American Maccabi Games aim to “perpetuate and preserve the Jewish communities in the Americas by encouraging Jewish pride, strengthening Jewish bonds, and by creating a heightened awareness of Israel and Jewish identity.”

Brazil hosted the 2011 games in Sao Paulo.

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