The 6th Maccabiah

The Sixth Maccabiah was the first to be held at the end of summer vacation, making it easier for Diaspora athletes—mainly students—to participate. Until then, the Games had always taken place during Sukkot, allowing Israeli schoolchildren to perform in the ceremonial pageants.

This was not the only significant organizational change. For the first time, both the Staff and the Organizing Committee operated from Kfar Maccabiah. Additionally, the Government Sports Authority was established that year, finally bringing Israeli sports under state supervision. Despite its shortcomings, the Authority played an active role behind the scenes,  including overseeing the construction of an advanced racing track modeled after the one at Wingate Institute. 

The previous year, the International Olympic Committee officially recognized Maccabi World Union as an organization of Olympic standing, despite strong objections from the Arab states. The Maccabiah itself was granted official status as a regional competition within the International Sports Association. Beyond the immense honor this bestowed upon Jewish sports in Israel and around the world, the recognition placed a new level of responsibility on the Maccabiah organizers. From this point on, they were required to run the Games with greater professionalism, strictly adhering to the International Sports Constitution. Among other obligations, they now had to invite International Sports Association observers to each event.

As the Maccabiah approached, a new governing body, the International Maccabiah Committee (I.M.C.), was established, aranting Israeli sports associations full representation in the Games. Following the Maccabiah’s conclusion, the I.M.C. became a permanent entity.

30,000 spectators watched as Israel's President, Yitzchak Ben Zvi, officially opened the Games. Athletes competed in 20 events. Basketball games were played at Ramat Gan Stadium on a portable court made of interlocking wooden boards. A special electronic scoreboard, capable of measuring down to one-thirtieth of a second, was later transferred to Yad Eliyahu Stadium in Tel Aviv after the Games.

Track and field competitions were the highlights of the event, with most previous running and jumping records shattered. Swimmers also performed exceptionally well, with the Americans winning the most gold medals.

During the Closing Ceremony, Prime Minister David Ben Gurion declared: "I express your wishes and ours that we live to see delegations from North Africa, Eastern Europe, and the USSR at future Maccabiot". The ceremony concluded with a soccer game between the Israeli all-star team and the Italian champions.

Notable Athletes, Winners, and Sports Achievements:

• Mike Herman (USA): Winner of the decathlon, pole vault, and broad jump, earning the Savislotsky Medal for Outstanding Athlete. 

• Madeline Bergman (Australia): Winner of the 200m and 800m races, awarded the Sports Authority Trophy for outstanding female athlete. 

• The U.S. delegation received the Leip Meyers Trophy for the most gold medals (58, while Israel won 28.5).

• The children of two former gold medalists—Philip Oberlander (Canada) and Michael Wittenberg (USA)—followed in their fathers' footsteps and won medals.

• Dick Savett (USA): Won two gold medals in tennis.

• Gary Gobner (USA): Set a new Maccabiah record, winning three gold medals in shot put, discus throw, and weightlifting (Mark Spitz would later match this feat in a future Maccabiah).

• Olympic champions Rafer Johnson (decathlon) and John Thomas (high jump) delivered thrilling showcase performances.

 

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