As I sit on the way back from the Maccabiah, I can’t help but think about the significance of the Jewish nation.
People from more than 40 countries flew thousands of miles across continents to be in Israel, at a time when this can’t be taken for granted. People of every age came together, including a 97-year-old Holocaust survivor proudly representing his country, holding his flag high.
He wasn’t just representing his nation playing sports; he was representing our history, our legacy, everything we have been through as a people, and everything we are still capable of becoming.
I sat there simply kvelling at our nation, at the Jewish pride instilled within every individual and every community, and at the people who proudly raised their country’s flag alongside the Israeli flag.
At a time when antisemitism is rising across the world, it has never been more important to show our unity and our pride – and that is exactly what happened.
What other nation begins an opening ceremony with Yizkor, the memorial prayer, remembering generations of Jewish suffering while honoring those who fell defending the Jewish people and the State of Israel?
What other nation brings members of the Druze community and the families of innocent Druze Israelis who lost their lives protecting this country, recognizing that their story is part of our story, too?
The Talmud teaches us, “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh” – all of Israel is responsible for one another. As I sat in an audience of thousands, that teaching no longer felt like a sentence. It was alive.
The lyrics echoed around the stadium: “All we need is hope. Remember, we have each other.” And together, we did bring that hope. Hope for the Jewish future. Hope for the next generation. Hope for the State of Israel. Together, we will rise.
On stage stood over 40 proud Jewish communities. Some countries had only one participant. Others, like the United States, brought more than 900. Brazil filled the stadium with its unmistakable energy and Latino pride.
Every delegation looked different, spoke different languages, came from different backgrounds – but they came here together to represent their Jewish pride, in the State of Israel.
Then Edan Alexander walked onto the stage.
A name known to every Jew around the world: a former hostage held by Hamas. His presence was a symbol of modern Jewish survival, and a reminder that despite everything we continue to endure, we are still here.
Proud of our identity. Proud of our people. Proud to stand together.
Moments later, Itay Levi began his performance with the words Shema Yisrael – “Hear, O Israel.”
There couldn’t have been a more fitting way to capture the evening.
I was brought up with the principles of Jewish pride. To be proud of who I am. To be a light unto the nations. To understand that being Jewish is not only about remembering our past, but about carrying responsibility for our future.
The Maccabiah reminded me of the pride instilled in each of us, and that in these times, it is sometimes hard to remember.
It is found in the Holocaust survivor carrying his flag.
In the lone athlete representing a tiny Jewish community thousands of miles from Israel.
In the families who continue despite unimaginable loss.
In the former hostage standing before thousands with his head held high.
And in every single person who chose to travel across the world simply to celebrate being Jewish.
At a time when many Jews felt the need to hide their identity, the Maccabiah was the complete opposite. It was a declaration that we are still here. We are still proud. We still have each other.
And perhaps that is the greatest victory of all.
The writer works to advance the Abraham Accords through people-to-people diplomacy, dialogue, and regional engagement. She also runs the Instagram page @mymissiontoremember, dedicated to Holocaust education and remembrance. She is a graduate of Reichman University and an alumna of the Argov Fellows Program in Leadership and Diplomacy.
Source:
www.jpost.com
