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.The Maccabiah 2026 Games officially opened "More Than Ever"

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The Maccabiah 2026 Games officially opened under the motto "More Than Ever" 
Asaf Yasur and Inbar Lanir lit the torch. Nuno and Jimbo J performed a new version of the Maccabiah anthem.

After being postponed a year ago due to the "Am Kalavi" campaign, the Maccabiah 2026 Games officially opened this evening (June 15) with a celebratory ceremony on the rooftop of Tel Aviv City Hall.
The first shot of the summer games, which will be held under the motto "More Than Ever," was fired in the presence of Maccabiah President Assaf Goren; Maccabiah CEO Roy Hessing; KKL-JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky; Director of the Ministry of Culture and Sports Kfir Cohen; and lawyer Lior Shapira, Member of Parliament and Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo. They were joined by the presenters of the opening ceremony at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, Assi Azar and Anna Aronov, and prominent Israeli Olympic and Paralympic athletes serving as Maccabiah Games ambassadors, including Artem Dolgopyat, Moran Samuel, and singer-songwriters Nuno and Jimbo J., who were chosen to perform the new Maccabiah Games anthem.

During the festive evening, the city's historical connection to the Games was highlighted. Tel Aviv, which hosted the Maccabiah Games in the early days of the State, will offer the Israeli public and its many visitors "Maccabiah City," a large-scale experiential sports festival to be held at Expo Tel Aviv, featuring activities for the whole family. One of the highlights of the evening was the unveiling of the official Maccabiah anthem, performed by Nuno and Jimbo J. The two joined forces to create a duet, reinterpreting Naomi Shemer's historic poem, originally written for the 1981 Maccabiah. The official music video, which will accompany the games this summer, was filmed at the Hadar Yosef Athletics Stadium and blends sporting tradition with the artists' contemporary style.

 

Assaf Goren, Maccabiah Chairman, said: “The Maccabiah is today a symbol of hope, recovery, and our determination as a people after the most difficult period we have experienced in this generation. Fortunately, we have overcome the challenges, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of guests from around the world who will come to compete, strengthen ties, and empower Israel, now more than ever.”

Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar stated: “I am proud and delighted to see the 2026 Maccabiah Games underway.” The Maccabiah is a bridge between Israel and the Jews of the Diaspora, and in these times, given all the challenges we face, it is more important than ever. The State of Israel is strong, sport guides us all, the Jewish people are alive and strong. I congratulate the Maccabiah organizers and all the collaborators who made this great event possible. Best of luck!

Attorney Lior Shapira, Member of Parliament and Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, said: “I am proud to open the Maccabiah in Tel Aviv-Jaffa. This event transcends the realm of sport. For us, it is a long-standing tradition that connects communities, countries, and hearts. Opening the Maccabiah in the midst of the complex period we are experiencing is a clear demonstration of resilience, unity, and continuity. We are excited to welcome thousands of guests from Israel and around the world, who bring energy and international connections, and contribute to the life of the city, the local economy, and businesses.” I invite the public to participate in the Maccabiah Games events, organized by Maccabiah City at Expo Tel Aviv, and to enjoy a diverse sporting and community experience for the whole family.

Eyal Ostrinsky, Chairman of the KKL-JNF: “The Maccabiah Games are much more than a sporting event; they are a unique and world-class Zionist event, representing the ultimate expression of the connection between Israel and the global Jewish community. The KKL-JNF is proud to be a partner in this historic project, which is celebrating its 94th anniversary and bringing together thousands of Jewish men and women in Israel for an unprecedented Zionist sporting celebration. This Maccabiah Games is more symbolic than ever.” It is the first Maccabiah Games since the October 7 massacre, a Maccabiah Games that was postponed following Operation Am Kalavi. And it is precisely the connection with the Otef and our resurrection as a people and society since that day, along with our life choices, that makes it so special, symbolizing the Israeli, Jewish, and Zionist spirit at its highest expression. During the event, at the upcoming opening ceremony, the bearers and torchbearers of the 2026 Maccabiah Torch were announced, chosen to represent the resilience, achievements, and mutual  

commitment of Israeli society and the Jewish people
Avitar Zeitouni, a disabled IDF soldier and former Paratrooper Brigade officer, who was seriously wounded in the fighting to defend Kibbutz Kissufim on October 7, was chosen to carry the torch as a symbol of rehabilitation, heroism, and the healing power of sport. His selection was made in collaboration with the IDF Disabled Persons Organization and brings to the forefront the stories of those wounded who choose to rise, recover, and move forward with strength, determination, and faith. Menashe Zelka and Sharan Yeini, two captains distinguished by their leadership, responsibility, and personal example, will carry the torch as representatives of Israeli football. Ofir Shaham, a member of the Israeli artistic gymnastics team and silver medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will carry the torch on behalf of a generation of Israeli athletes who have set an example for the world. The event will demonstrate that team excellence is a national strength.
The torchbearers will hand it to Asaf Yasur and Inbar Lanir, who together will light the Maccabiah torch as a symbol of the triumph of the spirit and an extraordinary sporting achievement. Yasur, a Paralympic taekwondo champion and gold medalist at Paris 2024, has become one of the symbols of Israeli sport's determination; Lanir, a world judo champion and silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, continues her preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, bringing to the Maccabiah a spirit of excellence, perseverance, and constant improvement.
About the 2026 Maccabiah: The sporting celebration will take place in Israel from July 1 to 14, in an event that will bring together thousands of athletes, families, and sports fans from around the world. Under the motto "More Than Ever," the Maccabiah expresses strength and hope, as well as the renewed connection between Israel and the global Jewish community. This connection is more meaningful than ever. The Maccabiah 2026 will host athletes from dozens of countries competing in more than 30 sports. Key partners behind the Maccabiah's success include the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Japanese Football Federation (JNF), whose support will make it possible to celebrate a historic day in the Tekoma region, "The Maccabiah and the JNF Unite." This event will feature sporting activities and community volunteering, and will also include additional sponsorships from Colgate, Toto, Eldan, Reebok, Elal, Neviot, Mifal HaPais, the Olympic Committee, and Bank Leumi.
 
  Photos Silvia G. Golan

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