News & Events

Congratulations to György Szepesi on behalf of all the Maccabi TO's and the leadership and all the members of Maccabi VAC Hungary, on his 90th birthday.
György Szepesi, was born in Budapest as György Friedlander on February 5, 1922 and started to play football on the grounds of the city. As a child he wanted to be a football player but he wasn’t good enough. He had some very talented coevals, who became very famous sportsmen. He also played basketball in the Maccabi VAC.
Szepesi made forced - labour service in 1944 in Ukraine and Eastern Hungary; his father died in the concentration camp of Buchenwald.

Szepesi always loved sports and decided that he was going to support the Hungarian sport from behind the microphone. In 1945, he started working at the sports department of the Hungarian Radio and became one of the best known sport reporters and reported on every important sporting event. He had legendary broadcasts, which were listened to by millions. Szepesi had a special, individual style; he was always enthusiastic and soulful.

In 1963, he was the broadcaster of the legendary football match between England and Hungary, where the Hungarian team won to 6:3. They used to say in Hungary, that György Szepesi was the 12th player of the Golden team. He was a pioneer in his job and he made it perfect.
He was the chairman of the MLSZ (Hungarian Football Association) between 1978 and 1986 and from 1982 to 1994 a member of the executive committee of FIFA. He has received many prizes and recognitions and we wish him all the best of health and happiness.
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Submitted by Adam Jusztin, Maccabi VAC
 

A Message from Yair Hamburger

As chairman of the Maccabi World Union, an international movement of more than 500,000 people in more than 50 countries around the world, I'd like to first and foremost express my gratitude and best wishes to the Maccabi Business Forum (MBF) members everywhere, particularly to the volunteer leadership that is at the heart of its efforts.

The MBF is based on the goal of attracting to our movement young professionals and business leaders who until now have not been exposed to the activities and values of the Maccabi movement, neither in Israel nor in the countries around the world where Maccabi is active.

The importance of the Maccabi World Union is expressed not only in its activities--- like the Maccabiah and the sports programming that we sponsor throughout the world. The importance of the Maccabi movement is in its vision, which is to bring Jews of the Diaspora closer to the State of Israel by emphasizing the centrality of Israel to world Jewry. This coming together is based on the values of Judaism and Zionism, with an accent on sports activities, in each and every one of the countries where the movement operates.

The outstanding benefit of the MBF once it will be fully integrated into the world Maccabi movement, will be to bring together a large, international group of quality young men and women with a strong business background who will become part of all the movement's institutions in the present, and who will be prepared to serve in the movement's future leadership in each and every place on the globe that Maccabi is represented.

There is no doubt that in the world where we now live, in the world of social networks, the establishment of a kind of social network of Jewish business people from all over the world who will establish personal and business relationships, and maintain contact with their peers in Israel, is an essential and outstanding idea.

But in addition to their mutual business interests, they will also have another ongoing and common interest-to support and promote the values and activities of the Maccabi Movement. Members of this network will be able to assist each other in business, in opening channels and in making deals among these young people, but most importantly, they will accomplish this with a common identity that comes from affiliating with and promoting the core values of the Maccabi movement.

Through the wise leadership of the MBF, whether in Israel or in MBF chapters in the various countries where nucleus groups of MBF will be formed; and through the good will and genuine willingness of the current Maccabi movement leadership to take in these young people and integrate them in the movement's institutions, I have no doubt whatsoever that we will manage to build in this way an important part of the future leadership of the movement.

And so I urge more and more young business leaders in Israel and around the world to join in the activities of the MBF. Joining does not just mean signing up, but it means real doing. The mission of every MBF member should be to create widespread business, cultural and sports contacts between their peers in the MBF worldwide, connections that will strengthen the members and bring them closer to each other on the one hand, and integrate them with veteran members and founders of the organization on the other hand.

I myself have been serving in the movement's leadership the past two years, and even though I am still a very active businessman, I find time for the movement and enjoy every minute of it. As a son of parents who arrived in Israel in 1935, and whose father was an athlete in the German delegation to the first Maccabiah in 1932, I see in this mission the closing of a circle, and a mission of top priority. It is an important mission, to bring the Jews of the Diaspora together with the people residing in Israel through programming that emphasizes the highest values.

The work of World Maccabi Union is authentic: You truly feel it, feel the love and camaraderie among members of the movement. In this complex era in which we live, being a part of the Maccabi World Union and the MBF can give anyone a sense of deep satisfaction.

--Yair Hambuger is Chairman of the Maccabi World Union

and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of

Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd.

"I Don't Have a Job, I have a Mission."

Ardent Zionist and grandson of a found of Tel Aviv, Eyal Tiberger is a global activist for what he calls "The Jewish Future". As Director-General of Maccabi World Union (MWU), he speaks with tangible passion about the tasks at hand. Even more impressive than is signature chein is his absolute humility and relentless dedication to the Jewish people and Israel.

In a world plagued by a rise in anti-Semitism, amid a growing apathy among young Jews towards their Judaism and Jewish identity, Tiberger's mission is to kindle the flame of Jewish 'peoplehood', a buzzword he uses interchangeably with 'nationhood'. He is a formidable Sabra force at the heart of the world’s only international Jewish sports organization, operating in more than 400 cities in the 60 countries on six continents "to secure the future of our people.

Maccabi World Union uses organized sports, Israel-oriented cultural activity and informal educational to promote a very necessary 'national' agenda: uniting Jews and the land of Israel in a partnership that has kept the Jewish people alive through the generations of its tumultuous history. Organized sport under the Maccabi banner has "proven to be a highly effective means to create, maintain and strengthen global Jewish unity and solidarity". Tiberger believes spending "quality time in Israel" is a primary building-block of "personal Jewish identity, whether you are eight or 80, observant or secular, even totally assimilated. It is of great concern to me that only 15% of Diaspora Jews have visited Israel." Through MWU, he offers programs that give Diaspora Jews opportunities to experience the dynamic pulse of modern Israeli society.

A fitness fanatic with a degree from Israel’s Wingate Institute for Sports, his face lights up when he talks about the power of Maccabi to attract Jews of all ages into involvement with their communities, and he glows when he reminisces about thousands of Maccabiah athletes singing the moving melodies of Kabbalat Shabbat together. “For most, the first Maccabiah Friday night is their first-ever experience of a Jewish Sabbath, not only for teenagers from places like Lithuania and other ex-Communist countries, but also from the West. At our 18th Games in 2009, nearly half the adult Great Britain rugby team – all Jewish according to Israel’s Law of Return, many of them already fathers of Jewish families – had their bar mitzvah at the Kotel in Jerusalem.

“Maccabi is not just about the exciting world of Sports,” Tiberger continues, “but about a holistic experience of being Jewish, of belonging to the Jewish world.” OF the 7500 athletes and officials at Maccabiah 2009, 68% had never been to Israel. While MWU’s flagship 14-day Maccabiah Games, held in Israel every four years, is the world’s largest sports event, it is also the planet’s biggest international Jewish event. Besides the 5250 athletes from Diaspora countries in 2009, they attracted 10,000 international visitors. About 350,000 spectators attended sports tournaments and millions more saw Maccabiah cultural events and opening and closing ceremonies broadcast live to TV and Webcast audiences in Israel and Diaspora countries.

“It’s a highly significant personal Jewish experience for each athlete and a shared experience of ‘national’ pride and unity for the whole Jewish world. On July 16, 2013, we are going to open the 19th Maccabiah at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. Mark the date; believe me, you want to be there!”

He is full of praise for the social enterprise of the South African Jewish Community. “In good times and bad, the South African Jewish community has never failed to share its blessings with the less fortunate I the wider community.” He lauds the commitment of Maccabi South Africa leaders like Cliff Garrun, and swells with pride recounting his visit to Cape Town, where former MWU president Jeanne Futeran took him to a Maccabi Junior Boys Soccer Tournament, which was re-instituted after 20 years. “At Maccabi SA’s annual dinner at Sandton Shul, there were 350 guests, who were so warm and supportive, such a reflection of your vibrant community!”

Maccabi is in full swing, with summer 2011 as its next goal in sight, and Eyal Tiberger is making waves worldwide, endeavoring to secure the future of the Jewish people!

Article by Shira Druion, Jewish Life, Our Community, Our World, ISSUE 39

There was excitement in the air. The energy level continued to rise. One could sense the positive feeling in the room as talk of Maccabi Canada and preparations for the 19th Maccabiah Israel Games were foremost in everyone’s mind. It was as if those gathered to keep the momentum going were ready to don the red maple leaf and head for the various venues halfway across the world.
The catalyst for this expression of emotion was a special visitor from The Promised Land. It’s been a week since the executive director of Israel-based Maccabi World Union landed in Montreal prior to his three-day stop in Toronto. In addition to having fruitful meetings with the Maccabi Canada executive, Eyal Tiberger’s visit left an indelible mark on the community.
Toronto was just one of the many stops Tiberger will make as the Games get closer and organizers firm up plans for everything, from the opening and closing ceremonies, to the introduction of new sports and the establishment of para-olympic competitions.
For Tiberger it has also been a chance to become more acquainted with the new Maccabi Canada executive and get an update from the second largest contingent, behind the United States, that attends the quadrennial games. “Canada is one of the leading delegations,” he said about their tireless commitment and dedication to previous games. “It’s one of the leading organizations in education and performance. It’s important for us to keep up the momentum.
“We talked about mutual plans, especially with fundraising. We want to help them fulfill their goals.”
And while Maccabi Canada’s goals are to equal or exceed the 500-plus strong delegation that attended in 2009, there is also a need to keep the bigger picture in mind.
“The idea is to develop Jewish life through Maccabi activities,” said Tiberger as he spoke to his attentive audience. “Under the current leadership there are ongoing activities throughout the year. It’s part of the long-term program. We are pleased to hear about regional activities in culture, sports and tournaments.”
Tiberger said the aims are the same for all 400,000 members of the 60-country union, “to attract youngsters to the Maccabi movement. The structure (of Maccabi) is different in each country. They have their own ways of developing programs”
With a $50 million budget for the Games, 70 per cent funded by the athletes and the balance from the Israeli government and fundraising, the aim is to make these Games the biggest yet. Tiberger said the objective is to attract 8,500 representatives from 70 countries, up from the 7,500 from 55 countries at the 18thMaccabiah. The numbers are very impressive considering there were only 380 athletes from 10 countries in 1932.
To achieve this goal Maccabi World Union has a three-fold plan; to introduce new sports including ice hockey (with Canada, Russia, France, Israel and the United States) and equestrian events; to host para-olympic athletes in wheelchair basketball, swimming and tennis; and to continue talks with delegations from around the world who, prior to 2013, stayed under the radar when it came to participating in international sporting events.
Tiberger said the delegations may be small, and may require some financial support from Maccabi World Union and its member countries, but they will try to make it happen. He said countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Kenya and Nicaragua may be seen walking in during the opening ceremonies in the summer of 2013. They will contribute to the list of 28 different languages that are already spoken at the games.
A new venue also awaits athletes, representatives and supporters when they land in Israel. The opening ceremonies will be moved from the Tel Aviv area to Jerusalem in a refurbished stadium reconfigured to hold 32,000 people. The closing ceremonies will be in Haifa.
“We will provide them (the participants) with a Maccabiah experience which will fill them with self-esteem,” said Tiberger. “They will become ambassadors for the State of Israel.”
He added that in 2009 approximately 100 athletes decided to call Israel their home once the games concluded and that 68 per cent of the athletes that attended the games had never been to Israel before.
“The Maccabiah helps form the fabric of Jewish life around the world,” said Maccabi Canada President Tommy Bacher. “You make friends for life.”
He said the visit from Tiberger, who promised he would return to visit the Maccabi Canada executive again prior to the games, was “energizing for the volunteer base. It made them feel like they were part of something big.”
And if hard work from thousands of volunteers worldwide pays off, they will be a part of the biggest Maccabiah ever.
 

Article by Lester Glantz