Maccabiah and Zionism
Maccabiah is first and foremost about strengthening bonds
Earlier this year the Israeli government announced that 2005 is the "Year of the Maccabiah," sparking debates about the importance of the event nowadays. Opponents used strange reasons: Some claimed it was not a real sports event (no world records have been set). Others said it was a waste of taxpayers' money.
The first Maccabiah Games took place in 1932, and were aimed at assisting Jewish athletes who were banned from participation in International events because of their religion.
Since then the Maccabiah has been, first and foremost, a Jewish event. Hence, the criteria to consider should not be restricted to the sports pages.
The Maccabiah must also be valued for its ability to strengthen the ties between Jews worldwide and for its role in encouraging Jewish solidarity, even when such solidarity becomes harder to achieve.
This year's Maccabiah, the 17th, will be the largest ever. A total of 6,000 athletes from 55 nations will be competing. Total number of participants including coaches, escorts and professionals is estimated to reach 20,000.
Unquestionably, it is a strong show of confidence in Israel in one of its toughest hours.
The Australian Jewish community, for example, is sending 500 athletes, thus clarifying that, despite the fatal bridge collapse during the 15th Maccabiah, the bond is as strong as ever. This is what the Maccabiah is all about: Bonds between the Diaspora and Israel, despite the difficulties, the tragedies and threats.
Those who object to the Maccabiah simply do not understand its importance; they have given up on the dream of bringing more Jews to Israel. Claims about wasting money are without grounds. The athletes themselves pay for their flights and a large sum on top of it.
My decision to make aliyah and build a home in Israel was made thanks to the Maccabiah. I first arrived in Israel in 1965 as a U.S. delegation member to the 7th Maccabiah. I enjoyed the Games and appreciated the competition, but experiencing Israel was stronger than anything else.
It shaped my path to becoming an Israeli citizen. I am not the only one. Many Jewish athletes settled in Israel after participating in the Maccabiah.
We have to encourage that. We must hold on to the dream.
Tal Brody came to Israel to play basketball in the Maccabiah Games of 1965. He joined Maccabi Tel Aviv team managers and Israeli government officials and led the team to victory in the 1977 Euroleague Championship.
