The road to Maccabiah 2026 officially began this week as organizers launched the Games at a festive ceremony atop Tel Aviv City Hall, unveiling the event’s theme, “More Than Ever,” and announcing that Paralympic taekwondo champion Asaf Yasur and Olympic judo silver medalist Inbar Lanir will light the Maccabiah torch at the opening ceremony in Jerusalem.
The Maccabiah, which was postponed last year due to Operation Rising Lion, will take place from July 1-14, 2026, bringing thousands of athletes, families, and visitors from Jewish communities around the world to Israel.
The launch event brought together Maccabiah officials, government representatives, municipal leaders and some of Israel’s leading Olympic and Paralympic athletes, including Artem Dolgopyat and Moran Samuel. Also in attendance were entertainers Assi Azar and Anna Aronov, who will host the opening ceremony at Teddy Stadium on July 1.
Maccabiah chairman Assaf Goren said the Games carry added significance following the challenges Israel has faced in recent years.
“Nowadays, the Maccabiah is a symbol of hope, recovery, and our determination as a people following the most difficult times that our generation has endured,” Goren said. “I am proud that we have overcome the challenges, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of guests from around the world who will come to compete, deepen connections, and strengthen Israel – this time, more than ever.”
One of the evening’s highlights was the unveiling of a new version of the official Maccabiah anthem performed by Israeli artists Nunu and Jimbo J. The pair collaborated on a contemporary arrangement of Naomi Shemer’s song originally written for the Maccabiah in 1981, with a music video filmed at the Hadar Yosef Athletics Stadium.
Minister of Culture and Sport Miki Zohar emphasized the role the Maccabiah continues to play in connecting Israel with Jewish communities worldwide.
‘Maccabiah – a bridge between Israel and Jewish communities around the world’
“The Maccabiah is a bridge between Israel and Jewish communities around the world, and in these times, amid all the challenges we face, that connection is more important than ever,” Zohar said. “The State of Israel is strong, sport leads and inspires us all, and the people of Israel live on and thrive.”
Organizers also announced the athletes and public figures who will participate in the torch ceremony during the opening festivities. Among them is Eviatar Zeitouni, a disabled IDF veteran and former Paratroopers Brigade officer who was severely wounded while defending Kibbutz Kissufim on October 7. His selection is intended to represent recovery, courage, and the rehabilitative power of sport.
Israeli soccer captains Menashe Zalka and Sheran Yeini were chosen to carry the torch on behalf of the country’s soccer community, while rhythmic gymnast Ofir Shaham, a member of Israel’s Olympic silver medal-winning team from Paris 2024, will represent a new generation of Israeli female athletes.
The torch will ultimately be passed to Yasur and Lanir, who will jointly light the Maccabiah flame. The pair symbolizes both elite athletic achievement and resilience. Yasur captured Paralympic gold in taekwondo at the Paris 2024 Games and has become one of Israel’s most recognizable Paralympic athletes. Lanir, the reigning world judo champion and Olympic silver medalist, is currently preparing for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
KKL-JNF chairman Eyal Ostrinsky described the upcoming event as one of the most meaningful in the history of the Games.
“The Maccabiah is far more than a sporting event; it is a unique and highly significant Zionist event that represents the pinnacle of the connection between Israel and world Jewry,” Ostrinsky said. “This Maccabiah is more symbolic than ever. It is the first Maccabiah since the horrific October 7 massacre and the first following its postponement due to Operation Rising Lion.”
Tel Aviv, which has played a central role in hosting the Maccabiah since Israel’s early years, will once again serve as a major hub for the Games. Organizers announced plans for “Maccabiah City,” a large-scale sports and entertainment festival at Expo Tel Aviv that will offer activities and attractions for visitors and families throughout the event.
Deputy Mayor and Acting Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo Lior Shapira said the Games extend beyond athletic competition.
“This is an event that is about much more than sport,” Shapira said. “For us, it is a long-standing tradition that connects communities, countries, and hearts. Launching the Maccabiah during this complex period sends a clear message of resilience, unity, and continuity.”
Under the banner “More Than Ever,” Maccabiah 2026 is expected to welcome athletes from dozens of countries competing in more than 30 sports, serving as both a major international sporting event and a celebration of the enduring bond between Israel and Jewish communities across the globe.
Source:
www.jpost.com
