History

Strength. For thousands of years, it has been the defining quality of the Jewish People. Even before Judah (The Hammer) Maccabee and his family fought for Jewish independence more than 2,100 years ago, and ever since, Jews have found strength in each other and used this strength to keep their spirit and their dedication to Judaism alive.

This strength is the essence of the World Maccabiah Games. This strength is the essence of the top Jewish athletes who travel from around the world to Israel to compete and to embrace their homeland and their heritage. Since the Games began in 1932, financial concerns, political unrest and war have tried the strength of the Games and the athletes, but nothing has succeeded in diminishing the light and the spirit of the athletes, sponsors, volunteers and staff members who have made this quadrennial competition one of the world·s three largest international sporting events.