~Dedicated to Pierre Gildesgame, Maccabi World Union President, who was tragically killed in a road accident~

Sailing and softball are introduced to the Maccabiah competition. New facilities are built at Kfar Maccabiah for squash, wrestling, judo and karate. For the first time in any international competition, athletes are housed by sport rather than country.

The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame/Yad Le'ish Hasport Hayehudi was formally inaugurated in July 7, 1981 in Ramat Gan Israel. The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame honors athletes and sportsmen and sportswomen throughout the world.

Sports Highlights

Mark Spitz, accompanied by 3 of the children of slain athletes in 1972 Olympic tragedy, lights the Maccabiah torch. Juniors competition for athletes up to age 16 is introduced.

In furthering its mission, MUSA created the concept of a USA Pre Camp in 1985 when a two-day program for Open and Junior athletes was held at Rutgers University. From 1989 to the present, in order to enhance the Maccabiah experience, the Pre Camp is held in Israel before the Maccabiah begins. This intensive four-day educational, cultural and social experience introduces the athletes to the people of Israel and to their rich Jewish culture and traditions. The program has included visits to important cultural and historical sites, such as the Western Wall, Yad Vashem and Masada, interaction with Israelis and the opportunity to become a B'nai Mitzvah in Israel in a ceremony conducted by the USA Team Rabbi. In 1993, our Lev L'Lev program was established to strengthen the concept of Tzedakah among the athletes, who are given the opportunity to visit hospitals, schools and other facilities in Israel. These programs are designed to enrich the lives of the participants, to heighten their awareness of Jewish identity, to create lifelong bonds with Israel and the Jewish people and to foster a sense of Jewish pride.

Sports Highlights

For the first time since the war, countries form Eastern Europe take part - Yugoslavia, Hungary and Lithuania (Soviet Union). Panama and Singapore make their first appearances. The first American pre-camp is held by the Americans in an effort to form lasting bonds between the athletes and the state of Israel. A tribute is held for handicapped athletes, Hanoch Budin, a swimmer who earned two medals in the Paralympics in Seoul in 1988, lights the torch. The first Pre Camp for Team USA was held in Israel at the Kfar Maccabiah.

Sports Highlights