The 7th Maccabiah

With 1,200 athletes from 25 countries, the Seventh Maccabiah reached the highest level of achievement since World War II. For the first time, delegations arrived from Venezuela and Peru, and at the last moment, for the first and only time, from Iran. The Turkish delegation, however, was absent after the Turkish Foreign Ministry refused to grant exit visas to the basketball team. During this Maccabiah, many records set in the previous games were broken. 

To accommodate the athletes' needs, the Israeli Defense Forces ordered the establishment of a synagogue in Kfar Maccabiah. Ramat Gan Stadium was expanded to hold 53,000 spectators. Extensive earthworks were carried out to build embankments and tunnels, and the stadium’s athletic track was upgraded to the highest standards. Dressing rooms were expanded and renovated, large parking lots were prepared, and at the last minute, Galit Pool behind the basketball stadium in Yad Eliyahu was readied for the swimming competitions.

Basketball games were played on six courts, primarily at Yad Eliyahu Stadium, while soccer matches took place in five different cities. Judo and boxing were held in rings set up on modern basketball courts, and for the first time, the eight indoor sports events were hosted at the fairgrounds. The first Israeli shooting range and internationally standard alleyways were built in Ramat Gan. Judo matches were among the main attractions, with thirteen countries participating—significantly more than in previous Maccabiot, when competitions had been so small they were held at army bases. 

West German television filmed the events and broadcast them in a special program titled "The Jewish Olympics" on the main channel. Television rights were also acquired by networks in Holland, Belgium, France, Austria, and Switzerland. Although Israeli President Zalman Shazar opened the Games in the traditional manner, a new element was introduced to the ceremony: the 12-man Color Guard now included two outstanding athletes from each of the previous Maccabiot. Army parachutists staged a festive landing into the stadium grounds. 

The Closing Ceremony concluded with the traditional soccer match, this time between the Israeli all-star team and Torino, Italy (2:1). However, for the first time, the athletes marched together by sports rather than by nation. At the end of the official competitions, four world-class Kenyan track and field stars were invited to participate in exhibition events.

As in previous years, the Maccabiah organizers faced financial difficulties and institutional indifference. Despite the Games bringing at least 10,000 tourists to Israel, the Israeli government contributed only 8% of the budget—4,200,000 Israeli pounds. The Jewish Agency, the Jewish National Fund, and Keren Hayesod did not contribute at all. That year, in the mid-1960s, the new Knesset building was completed in Jerusalem, and Teddy Kollek was elected mayor of the city.

Notable Athletes, Winners, and Sports Achievements:

• The United States delegation, with 200 athletes, was particularly dominant in swimming, winning 14 gold medals in 18 races. Israel won three, while Australian swimmer John Stark claimed one. 

• Fifteen-year-old Mark Spitz, making his first appearance, won four gold medals and broke three records. 

• Another outstanding American swimmer was Olympic silver medalist Marilyn Rumnovsky. 

• South African gymnast Lorraine Lutzoff won three gold medals.

• Chana Shazifi, later one of Israel’s greatest athletes, won the 800-meter run. 

• Tal Brody, a promising 22-year-old basketball player, competed for the U.S. team. Upon returning to the United States, he gave up his amateur status to play professionally for Baltimore.

 

Joining the Party: Countries Who Participated for the First Time

• Venezuela Brazil

• Peru

• Iran

Say Hello: New Sports Competitions

• Golf

• Clay pigeon shooting