Non-Jews welcome at Maccabi clubs, says MAI
NON-JEWISH players will be officially welcome to play in Maccabi teams around Australia if a new Maccabi Australia (MAI) constitution is adopted by states and clubs.
The MAI board unanimously voted to change its constitution at its annual general meeting in Melbourne on Sunday.
The new constitution allows “participation by any individual in any of its sporting or cultural activities or of those of any affiliated sports clubs”, however, only Jewish members have voting rights.
MAI president Lisa Borowick said the organisation’s role is to embrace the broad Jewish community and update the constitution to reflect the changing demographic.
“Our values have been the core driver of the changes, and in this regard we have remained true to these values through what has been an extensive, consultative and inclusive process,” Borowick said.
“MAI’s core objective is to connect the Jewish community through sport. This change reflects our response to the changing demographic and is consistent with our values.”
While the presidents of NSW and Victoria did not want to comment, Queensland president Josh Magnus said he supports the decision.
“It will open us up to more players for Maccabi but we will still be protecting our authenticity as a Jewish club.”
Each state will have to individually change their constitution to fall into line with MAI and then each club will be asked to follow suit.
Ian Fayman, president of AJAX Football Club, Melbourne’s most high-profile Jewish club, said he welcomes the decision, but he would never actively seek out non-Jewish players.
“I, as the president of the AJAX Football Club, believe that the definition of who can play for the Maccabi clubs needs to be more representative of the current Melbourne Jewish community, and if that requires a slight loosening up of the definition of who can play for a Maccabi club, but not the definition of who is a Jew, then I’m supportive of it,” Fayman said.
“But I would not go out and recruit non-Jewish players to move to a higher level, because they are taking the spot of Jewish players and I would prefer to recruit Jewish players from Melbourne, Sydney or Perth.”
Maccabi NSW Junior Soccer Club president Craig Behrmann, whose club has more than 700 members, said he will have to take the decision to his committee.
“At the moment our constitution only allows for Jewish players,” Behrmann said.
“I’ve only just taken the role as president, and so in light of this new development I will have to go back to my committee and reassess our situation.”
JOSHUA LEVI
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