THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Israel Opens 22nd Maccabiah Games, Welcoming Jewish Athletes From at ... The 22nd Maccabiah Games opened in Jerusalem on July 1 with a ceremony at Teddy Stadium, bringing together thousands of Jewish athletes from around the world for the start of the two-week international sporting event. Held under the theme “More Than Ever,” the opening ceremony featured the traditional parade of athletes, musical performances, large-scale multimedia displays and a pyrotechnic show. Organizers said roughly 5,000 athletes from about 35 countries participated in the opening procession. The Games, which run through July 13, are expected to include between 8,000 and 10,000 competitors from 55 countries competing in more than 30 sports. Athletes are participating in Junior, Open, Masters and Paralympic divisions, including wounded Israel Defense Forces veterans. Israeli television personality Assi Azar and dancer Anna Aronov hosted the ceremony, which was directed by Eldar Gohar Grossman and included the lighting of the Maccabiah torch. Israel’s 2025 Eurovision Song Contest representative Yuval Raphael opened the evening with a new musical arrangement. Netta Barzilai, winner of the 2018 Eurovision S…

500 - i24NEWS For the first time in decades, the Maccabiah Games — often dubbed the "Jewish Olympics" — have been postponed, as Israel grapples with an ongoing war against Iran. The games, originally set to take place this July, will instead be rescheduled for the summer of 2026. The announcement was made Monday following high-level consultations between the Maccabi World Union, organizers of the 2025 Maccabiah, and Israel's Minister of Culture and Sports, Miki Zohar. The decision comes as Israel’s military campaign, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, continues to unfold against Iranian targets. “After many situational assessments following the events in Iran, we had no choice but to postpone the Maccabiah,” said Zohar. “I am grateful to the organizers and our international partners for their understanding and cooperation. I am confident that next year we will gather in an even stronger and braver Israel.” The government’s extension of Israel’s national state of emergency — now in effect until at least June 30 — played a critical role in the decision. Organizers cited the safety and logistical challenges posed by the emergency measures, which make it nearly impossible to properly prepa…

After 2025 war delay, Maccabiah '100%' plans to proceed As ongoing conflict with Iran and Hezbollah continues and Israeli airspace remains largely restricted, Israel travel organizations are approaching critical deadlines to decide whether to proceed with summer programs. With cancellation windows closing, groups are weighing safety, logistics, and participant commitment, supported by ongoing guidance from the Israel Educational Travel Alliance (IETA). Despite uncertainty, interest in Israel travel remains strong, with many participants choosing to stay engaged and even opting to remain in the country during the conflict, particularly on long-term programs. At the same time, organizers of the Maccabiah Games are moving forward with confidence, maintaining plans to open on June 30 after last year’s postponement. Participation remains high, with thousands of athletes expected and no widespread cancellations, reflecting a broader trend of resilience and solidarity. Leaders emphasize the symbolic importance of showing up in Israel during challenging times, with continued enthusiasm from global Jewish communities and increased support from major institutions underscoring the enduring c…

Delayed by war, Maccabiah Games set to open as celebration of Jewish resilience <p>Shrunk to half the size of the 2022 games due to geopolitical tensions, the 'Jewish Olympics' is still bringing 5,000 athletes together in Israel for two weeks of competitions in a show of unity, strength and sportsmanship</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/delayed-by-war-maccabiah-games-set-to-open-as-celebration-of-jewish-resilience/">Delayed by war, Maccabiah Games set to open as celebration of Jewish resilience</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com">The Times of Israel</a>.</p> <figure><img src="https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2026/07/855410-e1782900374116-1024x640.jpg" title="Delayed by war, Maccabiah Games set to open as celebration of Jewish resilience" border="0" width="160" height="100" class="type:primaryImage"></figure>

2026 Maccabiah Games open in Jerusalem, honoring wounded veterans ... Read this article in: Opening ceremony of the 22nd Maccabiah Games at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026. (Photo: Danny Maron/Flash90) The 2026 Maccabiah Games, also known as "the Jewish Olympics," opened on Wednesday in Jerusalem with a ceremony honoring wounded veterans and former hostage Edan Alexander, as thousands of Jewish athletes from around the world gathered for the first Games since the Oct. 7 attack and the ensuing war. Held under the motto "More than Ever," the Games will bring together 8,000 Jewish athletes from 45 countries to compete in 45 sports over the next two weeks. Israel's top athletes are also participating in the competition. The Maccabiah Games, often compared to the Olympics, are held every four years. The event was originally scheduled for 2025 but was postponed because of Operation Rising Lion , Israel's first direct war with Iran. The opening ceremony featured hundreds of athletes from delegations around the world, along with performances by some of Israel's most popular artists, including Idan Raichel, Eden Golan, Itay Levi, Netta Barzilai and Yuval Raphael. The honor of ligh…

Maccabiah Games postponed to 2026, as Israel-Iran war disruptions start ... The Maccabiah Games scheduled for Tel Aviv next month will be postponed to 2026 amid widespread disruption wrought by the Israel-Iran war. The games, seen as akin to a Jewish Olympics, had been set to open July 8, with preliminary activities beginning earlier in July. It would have brought 8,000 athletes and their families and support teams to Israel from 55 countries. But with flights grounded and no timeline to open the skies, and with a state of national emergency in place through at least June 30, the organizers concluded they could not move forward with the plans. “Despite our strong desire to hold the Maccabiah in the summer of 2025 as a symbol of hope, we are forced to postpone it due to the complex security situation created by the attack on Iran, the instructions of the Home Front Command, the continued suspension of flights to Israel, and the necessary security measures required of all of us,” Maccabiah’s chair, Assaf Goren, said in a statement. He continued, “Together with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and after considering several alternatives, we realized that although we are almost …

2026 Maccabiah: Celebrating Jewish Pride Together | The Jewish Voice Delayed a year by war with Iran, the Games go forward as Maccabi USA athletes ages 14 to 87 – from 40 states – make a public statement of Jewish pride and solidarity with Israel through sport Edited by: TJVNews.com Maccabi USA will send a 903 member USA delegation to Israel this summer for the 2026 Maccabiah Games, bringing together athletes, coaches, managers, medical professionals, volunteers, and student journalists from 40 states for what will be the largest gathering of the global Jewish community in Israel since October 7, 2023. The Games were postponed a year after the outbreak of war between Israel and Iran in June 2025. That they are happening now – with regional tensions lingering and antisemitism rising worldwide – makes the decision of nearly 900 American Jews to travel to Israel this summer a statement in itself: a visible, joyful act of Jewish pride and solidarity with Israel at a moment when showing up matters. “There has not been a more important time in recent memory to unite the Jewish community in America and around the world,” said Donald Kent, President of the Board of Maccabi USA. “We need s…

Israel Welcomes the World for Maccabiah 2026: Games Will Open July 1 in ... Under the banner “More Than Ever,” the 2026 Games will debut “Maccabiah City,” a first-of-its-kind interactive family sports festival in Tel Aviv. (Courtesy of Israel Ministry of Tourism)New York, June 23, 2026 — Following a celebratory launch event on the rooftop of Tel Aviv-Yafo City Hall, Maccabiah 2026 is officially underway. Set to take place from July 1 to July 14 across Israel, the Games will draw thousands of athletes, families and sports enthusiasts from dozens of countries, competing in more than 30 disciplines. This edition carries a message that resonates far beyond the playing field. The official theme, “More Than Ever,” reflects a renewed sense of purpose, unity and the enduring bond between Israel and Jewish communities around the globe. “There’s nothing quite like the energy of the Maccabiah Games – it’s so much more than just a sports tournament,” says Yoram Elgrabli, Tourism Commissioner for North America at the Israel Ministry of Tourism. “At its core, the games are a massive, joyful family reunion. This year especially, bringing thousands of people together from all corners of the gl…