History: The 1970s

1971

Maccabi World Union gathering commemorating its 50th Anniversary

1972

Massacre of 11 Israeli Sportsmen at the Olympic Games in Munich

David Berger

Ze'ev Friedman

Yosef Gutfrend

Eliezer Halfin

Shor Kehat

Joseph Romano

Amitzur Shapira

Mark Slavin

Andre Spitzer

Yakov Springer

Moshe Weinberg

The 9th Maccabiah - 1973

23 Countries, 1,499 Athletes
Dedicated to the Munich Eleven

American-born basketball player Tal Brody, who made aliyah, lights the Maccabiah torch. He is joined by Esther Shachmorov Roth whose hope of medalling at the 1972 Olympics was thwarted by the massacre at Munich, and Dr. Shaul Landani, Israel walking champion. Eleven torches are lit, one for every slain sportsman, including David Berger, (wrestler) a Maccabiah gold medallist who made aliyah and competed for Israel at those ill-fated Olympics. Abba Eban, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, addresses the participants at closing ceremonies. The first Youth Jamboree is held, where participants mix with their Israeli peers. The first international seminar on Jewish Physical Education and the History of Jewish Sports is held at the Wingate Institute. Maccabi World Union subscribes to the "Jerusalem Program" and approves its affiliation as a Jewish World Organization of non-political character to the World Zionist Organization. Maccabiah Country Club is opened on the grounds of the Maccabiah Village, Kfar Hamaccabiah. Yosef Yekutieli, Father of the Maccabiah Games, lights the torch in Modi'in.

Sports Highlights
Sweden's Anita Zarowiecki sets new Maccabiah swimming records
US maintains their domination in the swimming
Ernie Grunfeld, who would help take the US to gold in the 1976 Olympics and later play in the NBA, leads the US basketball team

1974

Chaver Yehoshua Alouf is awarded the Israel State Prize for Sports for his lifelong contribution to physical education

1975

Maccabi Leadership Conference in Israel
Inauguration of the "Pierre Gildesgame Maccabi Museum" in the Maccabiah Village

1976

European Maccabi Games in Copenhagen, upon the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Hakoah, Copenhagen
Bruckman and Friedlander of Zevulon win the World Championship in the 420 Sailing class
Chaver Chaim Wein (Israel) is honored by the International Olympic Committee who make him an "Honorary Fellow" - the first Jew to be so honored
Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team wins European Championship!
The Queen bestows the Order "Commander of the British Empire" on Pierre Gildesgame, President of the Maccabi World Union, in recognition of his dedication to the development of Jewish sport in Great Britain

The 10th Maccabiah - 1977

34 Countries, 2,694 Athletes, 26 Sports
Gathering for participants of the FIRST MACCABIAH GAMES (1932) is held. The order "Member of the British Empire" (M.B.E) is bestowed on Lou Rose of Australia in recognition of his dedication to the encouragement of Jewish sport in Australia. Bridge and chess are added as new competitions. New facilities are made available to the athletes including many on kibbutzim.

Sports Highlights
55 records are shattered, including 25 in swimming - 22 of those by the US
US regains its gold in basketball with the help of coach Dolph Schayes, an NBA legend, and his son Danny who also went on to play in the NBA
Brothers Steve and Irwin Cohen, who would go on to the Olympics, lead the US in judo
Sharon Shapiro wins 5 gold medal in gymnastics

1979

European Maccabi, Games - Leicester, Great Britain
50th Anniversary of the Maccabi Tzair Youth Movement
Maccabiada Pan Americana - Mexico
The Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, is founded in the United States honoring American.

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