THE ‘’JEWISH OLYMPICS’’ A GREAT SUCCESS FOR MACCABI SOUTH AFRICA

Click here for all sports and results of the 2022 Maccabiah – Team Maccabi SA.

Following two years of turmoil, uncertainty and delays due to the Covid pandemic, over 9000 athletes from 59 countries took part in the 21^st Maccabi Games in Israel in July, 2022.

For Maccabi South Africa it was a challenging undertaking, having to make all final plans and arrangements in six months instead of the customary 12-18 months. Following a tricky period of hosting trials throughout 2021 in accordance with Covid regulations, Team SA was finalised in early 2022 and preparations began.

As an NPO, Maccabi SA traditionally fundraises to subsidise the considerable cost of the Games, as well as to pay operational expenses. Due to the tight timeline the pressure was immense, but thanks to a successful Sports Quiz sponsored by Bidvest and RAM; a donation from the King David Trust; a subsidy from Maccabi World Union; together with other generous donations and sponsorships, over R4.8 million was raised. The majority of this funding was used for the Maccabi SA Bursary Programme, in which 56 athletes received financial assistance to attend the Games.

Despite the many obstacles, in July 2022 Maccabi South Africa competed in their 20^th Games, having first competed at the 2^nd Games in 1935. The leadership team included Cliff Garrun (Chairman), Farrell Cohen (Head of Delegation), Ros Goldin (Head of Games Committee), Jarred Gronemann (Sports Director SA), Jared Poulton and Daniella Sher (Junior Managers), and Saul Jackson (Sports Director WP). Team SA was also very fortunate to have orthopaedic surgeon and sports specialist, Dr Brad Gelbart, heading up the medical team.

Team SA in numbers:

249: Total delegation members

140: Junior athletes

74 years: Oldest athlete, Moshe Duek (golf)

33: Maccabi SA’s biggest swim squad ever

31: Athletes have represented SA at various age group levels

18: Sports competed in

13 years: Youngest athlete, Dalya Swartz (swimming)

Team SA competed in two inaugural sports at the Games – padel and surfing, as well as entered weightlifting for the first time since 1969.

Six members of Team SA took part in their 5^th Maccabiah, some having attended in different roles over the years: Barney Girnun (cricket); Clifford Garrun (management and swimming), Farrell Cohen (management and medical), Gadi Cohen (football and futsal), Jacqui Boyd (tennis), and Rob Sulcas who remarkably competed in his 4^th sport (squash, football, tennis and padel).

The team once again featured a proud generational legacy with many children and grandchildren of Maccabians taking part, including six sets of fathers and sons. There were also 20 pairs of siblings.

Durbanite Adam Lipschitz (athletics) and Capetonian Jacqui Boyd (tennis) were selected for the prestigious role of flagbearers and led Team SA into Teddy Stadium at the impressive Opening Ceremony in Jerusalem.

Team Maccabi SA has a very successful track record at the Games and in 2022 once again punched well above their weight. South Africa came 7^th overall out of 59 countries, with all the teams ahead being 2-3 times bigger. SA won 51 medals in total, with swimming bringing home a massive haul of 34 medals – the most medals won by Maccabi SA in any sport at a single Games in Israel. The final medal tally was 15 gold, 13 silver and 23 bronze. Click here for all results.

The most individual medals were won by swimmers: matric pupil Hannah Robertson won six medals, including three golds, followed by Masters swimmer Dave Letschert who won five medals, also including three golds. Adam Lipschitz successfully defended his 2017 10km road race title, while the team’s oldest competitor, Moshe Duek, won gold in the Grand Masters golf nett competition.

Special mention goes to tennis player Jacqui Boyd, competing in her 5^th Games. She dominated in her Masters age category, winning the gold in both Singles and Mixed Doubles. Jacqui now has a total of nine Maccabi medals, including seven golds.

In the team sports, the Junior cricketers had a very successful tournament, demolishing the opposition and winning gold for the 5^th time, having won at every Games since youth cricket was introduced.

The Open rugby team, captained by the talented Stormers flanker Hacjivah Dayimani whose late father was a Nigerian Igbo Jew, beat Great Britain 33-6 in the 15’s final in front of a packed Wingate stadium. The 7’s team, captained by Tom Walker, won silver. In another proud legacy story, Tom’s dad Brett and his teammate Jordan Chait’s dad, Anton (Maccabi SA Rugby Manager), played together at the 1989 Games, also winning the gold.

The u16 football team faced a very tough draw, but played with great discipline and sportsmanship and won the Maccabi Football Fair Play Award.

Team SA proudly featured 57 female athletes and officials. The u16 and u18 netball teams both won bronze medals and were excellent ambassadors for women’s sport and Maccabi SA.

In addition to providing the opportunity to represent South Africa on the world stage, Maccabi offers many other valuable experiences. Team SA explored the culture and history of Israel, from Mt Hermon and the Galilee down to the Dead Sea. There were also very moving visits to Yad Vashem and many enjoyable hours spent in the Old City. A nachas highlight was the barmitzvah ceremony at the Kotel for six members of the rugby squad.

The Closing Ceremony in Tel Aviv was a fitting finale to an incredible two weeks of fierce competition; connecting with Judaism; and cementing new friendships with athletes from every corner of the globe. Following the pandemic, more than ever the Maccabiah was a truly powerful celebration of life.

The Maccabi Games is a massive undertaking and would not have been possible without the support of the community. The Maccabi movement worldwide is built on the spirit of volunteerism and South Africa is fortunate to have a dedicated team of volunteers – officials, convenors, coaches, managers and medical personnel – who generously give of their time and skills. In addition, the support from all the parents, community businesses and school sports facilities all contributed to deliver a successful and memorable 2022 Maccabi Games. Kol hakavod!