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.

 

2000s 2000s
1990s 1990s
1980s 1980s
1970s 1970s
1960s 1960s
1950s 1950s
1940s 1940s
1930s 1930s
1920s 1920s
1910s 1910s
1900s 1900s
1890s 1890s
Testimonials

“Our Gold Medal was a Team effort.  We received contributions from all 19 players over the course of the tournament.  We got better each game and left little doubt about who the best Team in the tournament was.  Depsite battling 100 degree heat, food-poisoning that ripped through our Team and a raucous home crowd, we persevered andleft our mark on Maccabi Men's Soccer.  After a Silver Medal finish in 2005 (17th Maccabiah Games) and a Gold Medal finish in 2007, the bar has been set high for the USA Open Men's Soccer Team.”

Amos Magee

See more testimonials...