|
Trending Topics
|
Source: https://www.jns.org/maccabiah-and-israel-a-sporting-event-of-a-jewish-nature/
Israel's Maccabiah Games Are Connecting Thousands of Jews Worldwide
(JNS) Howard Blas - The 21st Maccabiah games, the "Jewish Olympics," which opened on July 12, brought more than 10,000 Jewish athletes from 80 countries to compete in 42 sporting events all around Israel. When the athletes aren't competing in their sports, they can choose from a variety of options for experiencing the Jewish homeland. Professor Yaniv Poria of Ben-Gurion University notes: "The Maccabiah is not just a sports competition; it is an event that is part of the heritage of the Jewish people. When we watch the Maccabiah competitions, we do not do so in the expectation of seeing world records. When we watch the incoming delegations, it is an event of a Jewish nature. Even the athletes who come here are not only interested in competing but in getting to know other Jewish athletes, and getting to know the country and its inhabitants."