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Maccabiah Games
הַמַּכַּבִּיָּה
Miki Berkovich carrying the torch
StatusActive
GenreMulti-sport event
FrequencyQuadrennial
LocationIsrael
Established1932
Most recent
2022
Next event
2026
Organized byMaccabi World Union
Websitewww.maccabiah.com

The Maccabiah Games (Hebrew: הַמַּכַּבִּיָּה, Ha-Maccabiah), often referred to as simply the Maccabiah or the "Jewish Olympics"[1][2], is a quadrennial multi-sport competition held in Israel in which Jewish athletes from around the world and Israeli citizens compete. Participants represent their respective national delegations in both individual and team events

Organized by the Maccabi World Union, the First Maccabiah was held in 1932 in Tel Aviv during the British mandate.[3][4][5] The Maccabiah Games were declared a "Regional Sports Event" by, and under the auspices and supervision of, the International Olympic Committee in 1961.[6][7][8]

Due to the Twelve-Day Iran–Israel War, the 22nd Maccabiah Games were postponed from July 2025 to the following summer.[9][10]

Games

Originally, the Maccabiah was held every three years. Since the 1953 Maccabiah Games, the event has generally been held every four years, in the year following the Olympic Games.

The Maccabiah Games are open to Jewish athletes from around the world, as well as to all Israeli athletes regardless of ethnicity or religion.[5][11]

Competitions at the Maccabiah are organized into four divisions:[4][12] 1) Open (Seniors); 2) Juniors; 3) Masters; and 4) Disabled. The Games are organized by the Maccabi World Union.

Etymology

The name Maccabiah was chosen after Judah Maccabee, a Jewish leader who defended his country from King Antiochus.[13] Modi'in, Judah's birthplace, is also the starting location of the torch that lights the flames at the opening ceremony, a tradition that started at the 4th Maccabiah.[7]

History

First Maccabiah Games
Delegations in the streets of Tel Aviv during the parade of the 1st Maccabiah.

The Maccabiah Games were the result of a proposal put forward by Yosef Yekutieli in 1929 at the Maccabi World Congress.[14] Yekutieli, who heard about the Stockholm Olympics, wanted to form a representation for Eretz Yisrael. Following the appointment of the new British Palestine High Commissioner, Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope, the Maccabiah got the go-ahead.

The 1st Maccabiah opened on March 28, 1932.[15] The Maccabiah Stadium in Tel Aviv, which was built with donations, was filled to capacity. Roughly 400 athletes from 18 countries took part in everything from swimming, football, and handball, to various athletics. In the first Games, the Polish delegation took first place.[15]

The Maccabiah Games were intended to take place at an interval of three years. Following the success of the first Games, the 2nd Maccabiah was held from April 2 to 10, 1935, despite official opposition by the British Mandatory government. Over 1,300 athletes from 28 nations participated. The 3rd Maccabiah, which was originally scheduled for spring of 1938,[7] was postponed until 1950 due to British concerns of large-scale illegal immigration,[7] World War II, and the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.[16] It became the first Maccabiah to be held after the establishment of the State of Israel.

Starting from the 4th Maccabiah, the games were changed to take place every four years in the year following the Olympics and since 1953, the Games have taken place every four years, with the exception of the 21st Maccabiah, which was postponed for one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] The 15th edition was marred by what became known as the Maccabiah bridge disaster, when a temporary bridge built for the march of athletes at the opening ceremony collapsed, plunging about 100 members of the Australian delegation into the waters of the Yarkon River. Four athletes were killed, and 63 injured.[18][19] More than 5,000 participants from over 50 countries competed in those Games.[19]

US President Joe Biden, together with President Issac Herzog and Prime Minister Yair Lapid, at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2022 Maccabiah Games.

Over the last two decades, the number of participants grew to 9,000 athletes in the 19th Maccabiah, from 78 countries, making it the 3rd-largest sporting event in the world and the second largest sporting event in 2013, behind the 2013 Summer Universiade.[20][21] It is a forum for Jewish athletes to meet and convene, and provides the athletes with opportunities to explore Israel and Jewish history.[3]

Approximately 10,000 athletes, from 80 countries, were expected to compete in 42 sports categories in the 21st Maccabaiah. It was reportedly the world's largest sporting event in 2022.[22] President of the United States Joe Biden attended the opening ceremonies, cheering on the U.S. delegation of 1,400 athletes—larger than the U.S. delegation to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.[23] This made him the first American president to attend the Maccabiah Games.[24]

Editions of World Maccabiah

The following is an overview of the Games:

Summer Maccabiah

# Year Date Main Venue Nations Athletes Sports Ref
11932 28 Mar–6 AprMaccabiah Stadium2739016[25]
21935 2–10 Apr281,25018[26]
31950 28 Sep–11 OctRamat Gan Stadium2080017[27]
41953 22–29 Sep2289219[28]
51957 15–24 Sep2098019[29]
61961 29 Aug–5 Sep271,00020[30]
71965 23–31 Aug271,20022[31]
81969 28 Jul–7 Aug271,45022[32]
91973 9–19 July261,50023[33]
101977 12–21 July342,70026[34]
111981 6–16 July343,45030[35]
121985 15–25 July373,70028[36]
131989 3–13 July454,40032[37]
141993 5–15 July485,100[38]
151997 14–24 July335,50034[39]
162001 16–23 JulyTeddy Stadium492,200[40]
172005 11–23 JulyRamat Gan Stadium557,300[41]
182009 13–23 July557,51033[42]
192013 18–30 JulyTeddy Stadium777,50034[43]
202017 4–17 July8510,00045[44]
212022 12–26 July8010,00047[45]
222026 29 June–14 July

Winter Maccabiah

Bronze medal from the winter games in Banska Bystrica, 1936, in the Jewish Museum of Switzerland's collection.

Prior to World War II there was an attempt to organize a winter Maccabiah. Due to the relatively warm temperatures in Palestine, the winter Maccabiot were organized in European nations. The 1st Winter Maccabiah was held in Zakopane, Poland, February 2 to 5, 1933.[46][47] The games were met with great opposition; the Gazeta Warszawska newspaper encouraged Polish youth to intervene during the games to prevent the "Jewification of Polish winter sports venues".[46]

A second attempt at the winter games was relatively successful. The 2nd Winter Maccabiah took place February 18 to 22, 1936, in Banská Bystrica (then Czechoslovakia).[47] At the games, 2,000 athletes from 12 nations participated.[48][49]

For 85 years, these were the only winter Maccabiah games to be held and the only two Maccabiot that did not take place in the Land of Israel. During these years, the Maccabi did run smaller regional winter games. Then, the 3rd Winter Maccabiah took place from January 1 to 9, 2023, in Ruhpolding, Germany. At the games, 400 athletes from 20 nations participated.

#YearHostAthletesNations
11933 Poland Zakopane2508
21936 Czechoslovakia Banská Bystrica2,00012
32023 Germany Ruhpolding40020

Participating nations

  Countries that participated in the 19th Maccabiah (2013)
  Past participants

The Maccabiah Games have expanded significantly since their inception, evolving from a small regional gathering into an international event hosting thousands of athletes from over 80 countries. Participation reflects the global breadth of the Jewish diaspora, with consistent delegations from North America, Europe, South America, and Israel.

Historically, participation has fluctuated due to geopolitical factors. Early editions included delegations from several Arab nations as well as Iran.

Ceremonies

The World Maccabi Movement flag during the opening ceremony of the 19th Maccabiah.

The Maccabiah ceremonies are two ceremonial events that take place during the first and last days of the Maccabiah games. The ceremonies are an important part of the Jewish culture in Israel and the Zionist movement. The ceremonies of the Maccabiah trace their roots to the Olympic Games of the early 20th century. As such, they share many similarities.

The Maccabiah opening ceremony, which is organized by the Maccabi World Union, has recently been presented in English, Hebrew, and Spanish.

Opening

Opening ceremony of the 17th Maccabiah.

The opening ceremonies represent the official commencement of the Maccabiah. Some sports however, such as golf and rugby, might start prior to the opening ceremonies in order to finish on time.

The opening ceremony for the first Games was held at the new Maccabiah Stadium. The Stadium, which is located next to the Yarkon River in Tel Aviv, was finished just the night before. The Stadium also hosted the 2nd Maccabiah in 1935. For the 3rd Maccabiah, the opening ceremony took place in a new stadium in Ramat Gan. The stadium has been hosting the opening ceremonies of the Maccabiah ever since, with the exception of the 16th, 19th, and 20th Maccabiah Games which were held in Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem.

The United States delegation to the 19th Maccabiah; with 1,106 people, the second-largest delegation (after Israel).

The ceremonies often start with the introduction of the active participants of the Maccabi youth movement. After the parade of nations, the opening ceremony continues on with a presentation of artistic displays of music, singing, dance, and theater representative of the Jewish culture. In recent games, Jewish singers from around the world participated in the opening ceremony. For example, in 2013, Grammy Award-winner Miri Ben-Ari and X Factor USA finalist Carly Rose Sonenclar performed at the opening ceremony.[50]

Parade of Nations

Just like at the Olympics, the Maccabiah starts out with a "Parade of Nations", during which most participating athletes march into the stadium, country by country. The countries enter the stadium in accordance with the Hebrew alphabet. The parade of nations, in contrast to some other games, include junior and disabled athletes who also partake in the competitions. In accordance with the Maccabiah's tradition, the Israeli delegation always enters last.

Closing

The closing ceremony of the Maccabiah Games takes place after all sporting events have concluded. Typically, a member of Maccabi or some other well-known figure makes the closing speech and the Games officially close. The ceremony includes large artistic displays of music, singing, and dance. Various Jewish singers perform during the closing ceremony. In recent years, the closing ceremonies included popular musicians and live music and dancing.

Medal presentation

A medal ceremony is held after each Maccabiah event is concluded. The winner, second, and third-place competitors or teams stand on top of a three-tiered rostrum to be awarded their respective medals. Medals are awarded by an official Maccabi member.

Ceremony hosts

Year Hosts(s)
1981 Azaria Rapoport (Closing)
2005 Becky Griffin • Rodrigo Gonzales
2009 Galit Giat • Michael HarPaz
2013 Miri Nevo • Dana Grotsky
2017
2022
2026 Montana Tucker • Michael HarPaz (Opening)[51]

Sports

Shaul Ladany (center), winner of the 10 kilometre walk, on podium during 8th Maccabiah Games at Ramat Gan Stadium (1969).
Israeli high jumping champion Gideon Harmat, a silver medalist at the 11th Maccabiah.

The Maccabiah Games recognize all 28 current Olympic sports, plus a number of other sports such as chess, cricket, and netball. In contrast with the Olympic Games and other major international sporting events, the Maccabiah rules regarding accepting new sports are very lenient. New sports are accepted to the Maccabiah Games provided that competitions will only take place if at least four delegations bring competitors for that sport (three in the case of female sports, as well as the junior divisions).[52] As a result, the Maccabiah has held various unique competitions such as duplicate bridge.

Karate, not yet on the Olympic schedule, made its debut in 1977 at the 10th Maccabiah Games. The requisite number of initial countries signed on and agreed to send delegations. Since 1977, karate has participated uninterrupted. Although at the beginning karate was only contested in the fighting or kumite category, forms or kata was included in 1981. In 1985, women's karate was added. Junior and youth categories made their debut in 2009. The World Karate Federation, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), oversees and supervises the rules of karate competition at the Maccabiah.

The Maccabiah Games are organized into four divisions: Open, Junior, Masters, and Paralympics.

  • Open – The Open games are generally unlimited in age, and are intended for the best athletes from each delegation, bound by the governing international rules in each sport.
  • Junior – The Junior Maccabiah games are open to any qualifying athlete aged 15–18.
  • Masters – The Masters games are for older competitors; they are divided into a number of different age categories.
  • Paralympic – The Paralympic games are generally open to all athletes with a range of physical and intellectual disabilities. Past games included Para-cycling, Paralympic swimming, Para table tennis, Half Marathon, and Wheelchair Basketball.

In recent Maccabiot there has been a renewed interest in introducing new sports to the Maccabiah. In the 15th Maccabiah Games, ice hockey was first introduced. Ice hockey was not included in immediately subsequent games, but returned in the 19th Maccabiah. Squash became an official sport in the 10th Maccabiah Games in 1977. The 19th Maccabiah was also granted provisional approval for dressage and jumping competitions from the FEI.[53]

Notable participants

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Jason Lezak at the 2009 Maccabiah Games.
NHL hockey player Zach Hyman at the 2013 Maccabiah Games.

The Maccabiah Games have hosted many world-class athletes, including numerous Olympic gold medalists and world champions.

Competitors

Ambassadors and guests of honor

Regional Maccabiah

European Maccabiah

#YearHostAthletes
11929 Czechoslovakia Prague
21930 Belgium Antwerp
31959 Denmark Copenhagen
41963 France Lyon
51979 United Kingdom Leicester
61983 Belgium Antwerp
71987 Denmark Copenhagen
81991 France Marseille
91995 Netherlands Amsterdam
101999 United Kingdom Stirling
112003 Belgium Antwerp
122007 Italy Rome1,800
132011 Austria Vienna2,000
142015 Germany Berlin2,000
152019 Hungary Budapest3,000
162023
172027

Pan American Maccabi Games

Latin American Maccabi's (CLAM), called Jorge Newbery Pan American Maccabi Games or Pan American Maccabiah from 1966:[57][58]

#YearHost
11966 Brazil São Paulo
2
3
41979 Mexico Mexico City
51983 Brazil
61987 Venezuela Caracas
71991 Uruguay
81995 Argentina Buenos Aires
91999
102003 Chile Santiago de Chile
112007 Argentina Buenos Aires
122011 Brazil São Paulo
132015 Chile
142019 Mexico Mexico City
152023 Argentina Buenos Aires

Oceania Maccabiah (Junior Carnival)

The Maccabi Junior Carnivals are a sporting event held for the Jewish youth of Australia or New Zealand. It has been held annually since 1982, usually in January.[59]

Venues were:[60]

City Years hosted
Sydney1982, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019
Perth1983, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2010, 2014
Melbourne1984, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2018
Brisbane1987, 2012
Adelaide1988
Auckland2004, 2008

See also

References

  1. "Jewish Olympics Open in Palestine". The New York Times. March 30, 1932. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  2. Yazbek, Hiba (July 14, 2022). "What are the Maccabiah Games?". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  3. "About Us – Maccabiah". Maccabiah. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  4. Nauright, p. 364.
  5. Goldman, Ilan (July 8, 2013). "Arab athletes at the Maccabiah: Going for gold, seeking recognition". Haaretz. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  6. Helen Jefferson Lenskyj (2012). Gender Politics and the Olympic Industry. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9781137291158.
  7. Bard and Schwartz, p. 84.
  8. "History of the Maccabiah Games". Maccabi Australia. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  9. "Upcoming Games – Maccabi USA". Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  10. Sports, ynet (June 16, 2025). "Due to security situation Maccabiah Games postponed to summer 2026". Ynetnews. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  11. Porat, Avinoam (June 11, 2005). "Arab Israeli wins Maccabiah gold". Ynet. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  12. "Leah Levey Set to Compete at Maccabiah Games in Israel Next Month". Case Western Reserve University. June 21, 2013. Archived from the original on February 16, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  13. "Spirit of Judah Maccabee strides into the present day". CNN. December 24, 1997. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  14. Sasson, Moshe; Schrodt, Barbara. "The Maccabi Sport Movement and the Establishment of the First Maccabiah Games, 1932". Canadian Journal of History of Sport. 16 (1): 67–90. doi:10.1123/cjhs.16.1.67. ISSN 0712-9815.
  15. Mendelsohn p. 31.
  16. Nauright, p. 365.
  17. "The 21st Maccabiah - A Celebration of Sport in Israel July 14-26, 2022". Maccabiah.com. 2022.
  18. Nauright, p. 366.
  19. Bard and Schwartz, p. 85.
  20. Silverman, Anav (July 22, 2013). "Maccabiah Games: Uniting Jewish Athletes Across the World". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  21. Sinai, Allon (July 18, 2013). "The opening ceremony of 19th Maccabiah Games 2013". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  22. "Israel prepares for Maccabiah, 2022's largest world sporting event". The Jerusalem Post. July 9, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  23. "Israel prepares for Maccabiah, 2022's largest world sporting event". The Jerusalem Post. July 9, 2022.
  24. Wilensky, David A. M. (July 15, 2022). "Biden is first US president to attend Maccabiah 'Jewish Olympics'". J.
  25. "First Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  26. "Second Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  27. "Third Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  28. "Fourth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21. September 20, 1953.
  29. "Fifth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  30. "Sixth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  31. "Seventh Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  32. "Eighth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  33. "Ninth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  34. "Tenth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  35. "Eleventh Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  36. "Twelfth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  37. "Thirteenth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21. September 6, 2009.
  38. "Fourteenth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  39. "Fifteenth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21. September 7, 2009.
  40. "Sixteenth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  41. "Seventeenth Maccabiah", Maccabiah 21
  42. "Eighteenth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  43. "Nineteenth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  44. "Twentieth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  45. "Maccabiah 21". Maccabiah.
  46. Mendelsohn p. 26.
  47. Hanak. p. 1.
  48. Hanak. p. 2.
  49. Unknown (February 21, 1936). "Austria Wins Skiing Event in Winter Maccabiah". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  50. "Watch the Maccabiah Opening Ceremonies". July 18, 2013. The Jewish Exponent. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  51. Blas, Howard (July 2, 2026). "Jewish unity takes center stage as 2026 Maccabiah opens in Jerusalem". Jerusalem News Syndicate. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  52. 17th Maccabiah Basic Regulations Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  53. "FEI Grants Approval for Horse Sports at Maccabiah Games". Dressage News. March 2, 2013. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  54. Prittie, Terence (1975). "Israeli cricket". Wisden. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  55. Lieberman, Randall P. (May 31, 2017). "Water polo among sports to be contested at Maccabiah Games". sun-sentinel.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  56. "Maccabiah". Maccabi World Union. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  57. Pan American Maccabi Games Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  58. Mainline Media News Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  59. "Maccabi Games index". Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  60. Junior Carnival History

Works cited

Further reading