The birth of the Maccabiah
As the wheels organising next year’s 20th Maccabiah start gathering speed, Maccabi members around the globe remember today’s 84th anniversary of the very first Games.
84 years ago today the vision of Yossef Yekutieli came to life as the first Maccabiah took place in Israel. The Games, the first ever held during the British Mandate of Palestine were opened in Tel Aviv by Mayor Meir Dizengoff, who rode through the streets of Tel Aviv on a White Horse.
The opening ceremony witnessed the release of 120 pigeons; 10 pigeons for each of the 12 tribes of Israel, whose mission was to send the news to the world letting them know about the first Maccabiah.
Almost 400 athletes from 18 countries participated, including over 60 athletes from Arab countries such as Syria and Egypt.
In the past 84 years we have achieved a lot as we prepare for the 20th Maccabiah that will take place during the summer of 2017 with the opening ceremony in Jerusalem where we will welcome 80 countries with 9500 athletes who will participate in over 40 different sports.
as a kid i watched as the third the first in the state of Israel.was organized in the office set up in our flat in tel aviv .and the only aussie rep Honik marching behind the flag
ben
I have been privileged to have marched into a stadium in Israel on 4 occasions as part of an Australian Maccabi team.
Each time has been thrilling & a wonderfull experience like nothing else.
We will have a team of approximately 450 Athletes at the Games next year , many of whom will be in Israel for the first time.
We will do our part in keeping the spirit of the Maccabi’s alive
Barry Smorgon OAM
President Maccabi Australia Inc