The 19th Maccabiah

The slogan of the 19th Maccabiah – "Connecting to the Maccabiah" – accompanied 9,000 athletes from 78 countries who proudly raised their national flags during the Games. It was a truly magnificent and moving sight, as many countries such as Albania, Bolivia, Cuba, Mauritius, Mongolia, and Zimbabwe participated in the Maccabiah for the first time, receiving a warm and enthusiastic welcome.

The opening ceremony took place at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres in attendance.

The 19th Maccabiah featured 40 diverse sports alongside exciting final events. The Maccabiah torch was lit by Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, a two-time gold medalist at the 2012 London Olympics, who amazed everyone with her floor routine to the sound of "Hava Nagila."

Important sports such as handball, archery, and shooting returned to the Maccabiah, adding to the list of other sporting events.

One of the unique events of the 19th Maccabiah was the night half marathon through the streets of Ramat Gan, which over 1,500 runners participated in.

The preparations and organization for this Maccabiah were different from usual, with the concentration of the entire Junior Maccabiah Program at Wingate Institute: young athletes arrived at the facility each morning and enjoyed a rich and varied program that included training, competitions, leisure activities, education, meals, and tours – all under one roof – until they were dispersed to the accommodation villages at the end of the day.

For the first time in Maccabiah history, the closing ceremony, held at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on July 30, 2013, was of the same scale as the opening ceremony. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, World Maccabi President Ya’ir Hamburger, and various officials attended the event. The ceremony opened with an impressive show broadcast live on television, culminating in an exhilarating rock party on one of the most spectacular stages ever built in Israel, with a performance by Infected Mushroom.

By the end of the evening, it was clear that thousands of athletes were returning to their families, filled with excitement, joy, and unforgettable experiences from their stay in Israel. Furthermore, one-third of the Cuban delegation decided to stay in Israel after the Games.

 

Notable Athletes, Winners, and Sports Achievements:

• The star athlete of the Games was USA Gymnast Aly Raisman, the London 2012 Olympics double gold medalist who reprised her hallmark 'Hava Nagila' floor exercise routine to the delight of Gala attendees.

• An Israel squad anchored by Euro 2013 Bronze medalist Donald Sandford and the USA's crack collegiate runners vied for Gold and Silver in the 4X100m Men Open relay, but a 'Mixed' team from various Latin American 'Lost Communities' runners snatched the Bronze from a squad that featured a 2012 London Olympics sprint finalist. 

Joining the Party: Countries who participated for the first time:

• Albania

•  Bolivia

• Cuba

•  Mauritius

•  Mongolia

• Zimbabwe 

Say Hello: Returning Sports:

• Handball

• Archery

• Shooting