Maccabi kicks off 90th celebrations
IN 1925 a team of Sydney Jewish cricketers played against their counterparts in Melbourne and unknowingly led to the foundation of Maccabi Australia (MAI).
IN 1925 a team of Sydney Jewish cricketers played against their counterparts in Melbourne and unknowingly led to the foundation of Maccabi Australia (MAI).
Ninety years, 65 senior carnivals and 33 junior carnivals later, with thousands having been involved in the organisation at different levels, 120 people kicked off MAI’s birthday celebrations in Brisbane on Sunday.
Over the next five months, functions will also be held in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, including reunions, interstate challenges, masters challenges, community days and gala functions.
“I think it’s important to celebrate occasions when there is something significant like a 90th anniversary,” MAI president Barry Smorgon told The AJN.
“Maccabi has touched so many people over of the years and started friendships, marriages, and that is something worth recognising.
Smorgon noted that MAI is also repositioning itself in the community because it is not just about sport.
“We have an important role in combating anti-Semitism because people that compete against us see Jewish people are normal and friendly, not like the way the media sometimes portrays Jews,” he said.
Josh Magnus, who organised the function for 120 people in Brisbane, said the event highlighted how Maccabi brings the community together.
“The real focus of the night was people catching up with old friends that they have met through Maccabi,” Magnus said.
“There are a lot of lunches this week for people who hadn’t seen each other for 20 years until the event.”
The function included a large selection of memorabilia and speeches from former athletes who attended Maccabiah Games in Israel, including Maccabi stalwart Gerald Moses.
“We had a wonderful celebration that was beyond my expectations,” Moses said.
MAI executive director Ellana Aarons attended the event and said it was really nice to hear stories from past Maccabiah competitors who were based in Queensland.
“People brought in personal scrapbooks that they had collected, and that is what Maccabi is about.
“The history of our organisation is very special.”
MAI is producing a pictorial history of the organisation to celebrate its 90th birthday, and is inviting the community to participate by sponsoring a page or dedicating a page to a family member of friend.
The book will trace the origins of the organisation and showcase how MAI has held 65 senior carnivals, 33 junior carnivals and attended 45 international competitions.
For more information about forthcoming events, visit www.maccabi.com.au.
To be a sponsor or purchase the book, email books@maccabi.com.au or call (03) 9563 5885.
JOSHUA LEVI
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