The 13th Maccabiah

The Bar Mitzvah Maccabiah Games, held in the summer of 1989, hosted 4,400 athletes from 46 countries, including approximately 1,000 from Israel. The athletes were accommodated in 18 hostels according to their respective sports.

For the first time since World War II, East European nations participated, with delegations from the Soviet Union and Lithuania (including top wrestlers, table tennis players, swimmers, and weightlifters), Yugoslavia, Hungary, Cuba, Hong Kong, Korea (represented by a multi-talented athlete competing in karate, badminton, and the 100-meter race), and Singapore. India sent its largest delegation to date, with 28 athletes. Spain also returned after a long absence, bringing with it a junior soccer team and a fencing team.

The participation of South American countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, and Venezuela was initially uncertain due to financial difficulties, but with dedicated funding, they were able to attend. South African athletes competed under the "Shaar HaOlam" (Rest of the World) category due to restrictions imposed by the International Olympic Committee due to apartheid policies, with their soccer and junior soccer teams barred from participation.

The 13th Maccabiah featured 32 sports, including the introduction of bowling. Despite the challenging security situation caused by the Intifada and negative international media coverage, the Games went ahead without any athletes withdrawing. In fact, the event attracted tens of thousands of visitors, even after the tragic terrorist attack on a Tel Aviv-Jerusalem bus that killed Kela Kennedy, the daughter of a Maccabiah participant.

The opening ceremony was a vibrant celebration of Jewish and Israeli culture, combining movement, color, and special effects. Highlights included performances by Dudu Fisher and Ze'ev Revach, laser projections of a seven-branched candelabrum, and a choir of 800 children singing "I Belong to the Jewish Nation" in three languages. Fireworks and free-fall parachuting added to the excitement, and 50,000 spectators filled the stadium.

The Israel Broadcasting Authority provided extensive coverage of the Games, including a daily segment called "Maccabiah Day," which highlighted various sports, even lesser-known ones. Junior soccer was especially popular, with 19 countries participating, and South American teams setting the pace. Swimming was another highlight, with 17 Israeli records and 20 Maccabiah records broken.

In total, 24 countries won gold medals. Israel led the medal count with 97 gold, 82 silver, and 79 bronze, followed by the United States (52-73-74), Canada (33-21-16), and Brazil (15-9-7). The total budget for the Games was $6 million.

The closing ceremony, held at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, continued the "Bar Mitzvah" theme. Symbolically, 13 flames were lit by past and present torchbearers, including Chanoch Boden, one of Israel’s outstanding handicapped swimmers. On the morning of the ceremony, 80 IDF orphans and hundreds of American children celebrated their Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall Plaza.

Additional activities included competitions for handicapped athletes in swimming, tennis, and basketball, a photography exhibition at the Ramat Gan Museum showcasing past Maccabiah Games, a "Maccabiah Youth Quiz" at Kfar Maccabiah on the topic of "Body Culture in the Jewish Nation throughout the Generations," and a Maccabiah-themed week in the Ramat Gan Shopping Center featuring memorabilia and souvenirs. A special stamp was issued to commemorate the event, designed by Rafi Diagi and produced by Dan Reisinger. The world-renowned artist Yaakov Agam also presented his new kinetic artwork, "Light of the Maccabiah," to the President of Israel.

Notable Athletes, Winners, and Sports Achievements:

 

• Rick Ehrenberg (USA) – a top competitor in the 800 and 1500 meters.

• John Witschel (USA) – held the American 200-meter freestyle record and was among the world's top 20 in short-distance swimming.

• Eran Grommi (Israel) – Israeli backstroke champion and record holder.

• Ruth Grodsky (USA) – winner of four individual gold medals.

• Jeannie Sasser (USA) – won six gold medals, three in team events.

• Dave Edge (Canada) – world-class marathon runner.

• Ken Felix (USA) – hammer thrower (70.06 meters).

• Etty Eluz (Israel) – ran 100 meters in 10.57 seconds, earning the title "Fastest Jewish Runner."

• Rogel Nachum (Israel) – triple-jump record holder (16.77 meters).

• Nadav Handfield and Koren Anmisha (Israel) – key players in the junior basketball team, which defeated the U.S. team 101-92 after three previous losses.

• Micha Kagan (Israel) – gold medalist in the first-ever Maccabiah triathlon (30 km cycling, 7.5 km running, 500 meters swimming).

Joining the Party: Countries who participated for the first time

• Cuba

• Hong Kong

• Korea

• Singapur

• For the first time since World War II, an East European contingent participated with 57 athletes and their escorts, representing the Soviet Union, Lithuania, Yugoslavia, and Hungary. 

 

Say Hello: New Sports Competition

• Triathlon (30 kilometer biking, 7-1/2 kilometer running, 500 meter swimming)