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Maccabiah Games

Hella Eskenazi (C) poses with the Cuban delegation for the Maccabiah Games in Israel. (Courtesy Hella Eskenazi)
July 14, 2026, 10:53 pm
Five countries over four days: How Cuba’s Maccabiah Games delegation made it to Israel
Athletes representing their nation at the ‘Jewish Olympics’ had to contend with complications leaving their beleaguered island and Middle East air flight turmoil
By jacob gurvis
The opening ceremony of the Maccabiah Games at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026 (Maccabiah/Yoav Alon)
July 2, 2026, 2:30 am
Maccabiah Games open in Jerusalem as global celebration of Jewish pride
Thousands of athletes from more than 30 countries gather in Jerusalem for a star-studded opening ceremony of the delayed sporting event
By Zev Stub
Team USA cheers at the opening ceremony of the Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem on July 14, 2022. (Courtesy Maccabi USA)
July 1, 2026, 3:35 pm
Delayed by war, Maccabiah Games set to open as celebration of Jewish resilience
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
By Zev Stub
The opening ceremony of the 20th Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem, July 6, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
May 16, 2026, 2:43 pm
In the shadow of another Iran war, Maccabiah Games in Israel set to go ahead in July
After last year’s international competition of 8,000 Jewish athletes from around was canceled, organizers cautiously hope the 2026 redo will meet expectations
By Zev Stub
The opening ceremony of the 20th Maccabiah Games, the world's largest Jewish athletic competition, March 5, 2017. (Flash90)
June 21, 2025, 8:30 am
Postponing Maccabiah due to war, organizers want 2026 games to be ‘bigger than Olympics’
Delay of ‘Jewish Olympics’ that brings 8,000 competitors from 55 countries to Israel prompts sadness and pragmatic optimism: ‘We just hope the war is over quickly’
By Zev Stub
The opening ceremony of the Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem on July 14, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 )
June 18, 2025, 1:39 am
Maccabiah Games delayed from next month until 2026 due to Israel-Iran war
Chairman of Jewish sports tournament says ‘several alternatives’ were considered but ‘the most prudent step… is to postpone the event by a year to a quieter and safer time’
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Alan Sherman, second from right, at a gathering of the United States Committee Sports for Israel. (Courtesy of Maccabi USA via JTA)
August 1, 2023, 8:50 am
Alan Sherman, champion of Jewish sports and US-Israel relations, dies at 87
‘Visionary’ enthusiast had a lifetime commitment to strengthening opportunities for Jewish athletes, including decades of involvement with the global Maccabiah movement
By jacob gurvis
Team Morocco files into the Haifa International Convention Center at the opening ceremony for the 41st JCC Maccabi Games, July 9, 2023. (JCC Association)
July 11, 2023, 11:39 am
‘Build bridges of understanding with fellow Jews,’ Herzog tells young JCC athletes
1,000 participants from around the world are competing in the 41st annual JCC Maccabi Games, this year in Israel
By Gila Kalman
Former ESPN anchor Chris Berman speaks during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class of 2020 enshrinement ceremonies in Canton, Ohio, August 7, 2021. (MSA/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images via JT)
January 7, 2023, 4:11 am
ESPN’s Chris Berman among 11 International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame 2023 inductees
The list includes athletes and sports figures from across sports and around the world — from water polo to fencing, and from the United States to Hungary
By jacob gurvis
Israeli and US wheelchair basketball teams square off in the final match of the competition at the Jerusalem International YMCA on July 21, 2022. (Charlie Summers/Times of Israel)
August 5, 2022, 3:02 pm
Israeli team takes gold in Maccabiah wheelchair basketball tournament
Athletes lament poor turnout at this year’s games but are optimistic about the future; US captain says organizers did a good job respecting wheelchair basketball as a sport
By Charlie Summers
The final Futsal match between United States and Australia as part of the Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem on July 22, 2022. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
August 5, 2022, 1:21 am
The Maccabiah Games are dead; long live the Maccabiah Games
The sporting festivities were once about Muscular Judaism; now they’re more about fun, friends and maybe ‘aliyah’
By Judah Ari Gross
When Adam Henry lost his mother Judy, the Maccabiah Games helped provide comfort. (Courtesy: Jack Wiener/via JTA)
July 27, 2022, 6:13 am
How the Maccabiah Games supported a Jewish family in the face of tragedy
A gold medal from a 2017 competition that soccer player Adam Henry was unable to compete in reminds the athlete of the communal support he received after suddenly losing his mom
By jacob gurvis
Freya Levy. (Screenshot/Twitter)
July 24, 2022, 6:50 pm
Once homeless, para athlete Freya Levy finds a home at the Maccabiah Games
Levy, who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a teenager, has beaten the odds to compete globally in wheelchair basketball: ‘I try to do as much as I can, while I can’
By Ethan Freedman
Moshe 'MB' Klyman, right, with his friend Naftali Horowitz in Montreal during the 2018 Concordia Cup tournament. (Courtesy)
July 18, 2022, 4:00 pm
Orthodox wrestler from Teaneck takes to mat in Beersheba for 21st Maccabiah Games
Moshe ‘MB’ Klyman was the only Sabbath observant athlete in his hotel when he last wrestled for Canada at the ‘Jewish Olympics’; this year he’s aiming to take gold for Team USA
By Charlie Summers
The opening ceremony of the Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem. Thousands of competitors from all over the world will take part in the Maccabiah Games, dubbed the 'Jewish Olympics'. July 14, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
July 14, 2022, 11:21 pm
Rainbow of flags as largest-ever Maccabiah kicks off in Jerusalem with Biden on hand
US president, first ever to attend ‘Jewish Olympics’ held every four years, tells American athletes he is ‘damn proud of them,’ validating one of world’s largest competitions
By Melanie Lidman and ToI Staff
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