TCS Members Win at the Maccabiah Games

TCS Members Win at the Maccabiah Games

BY HALEY BLOCH

Everyone says it is best to go into a situation with no expectations. That statement did not ring true regarding my unique opportunity to play squash in the 21st Maccabiah Games.

The Maccabiah Games, dubbed the “Jewish Olympics,” is one of the largest sporting events in the world. Embracing the spirit of the mythical Sabra, Jewish and Israeli athletes from all over the world gather quadrennially for the twoweek-long competition. Maccabiah is truly about getting as many people involved as possible. This year, Israel hosted 10,000 athletes, coaches, and staff of all ages from 80 countries to compete in 42 events. Events ranged from swimming and baseball to lawn bowling, fencing, and of course, squash. Even Stuart Weitzman, the famed luxury shoe designer, joined in on the fun—he’s played ping pong in the master’s division for the last four games. I was excited to compete, but even more so, I was looking forward to just being in Israel. I have always felt such a strong connection to the country and its original vision as a home for the Jewish people. I went to Israel when I was younger for my older brother’s Bar Mitzvah, but now, I would be able to appreciate its amplitude. Like all life-changing adventures, my journey began at Newark International Airport. At least 200 Maccabi USA athletes were inching toward the check-in line—dozens of teenage boys punting duffle bags of hockey equipment with their feet across the floor. I do not think I understood the grandiosity of Maccabiah, and its importance to the people of Israel.

Two weeks before the games, Maccabi USA invites the entire delegation to participate in Israel Connect, a program designed to bond us to Israel and each other. Each day, we would wake up at 5:00 a.m. for practice in Ra’anana. We would play for a couple of hours, and then my new friends and I would hop on a bus to go on excursions to Tel Aviv, Masada, the Dead Sea, Yad Vashem and the Kotel, a moshav, where we worked on a vineyard, and a B’nai Mitzvah at Hebrew University for those U.S. delegates who had not had one. Israel Connect proved to be one of the highlights of my trip.

When our team finally arrived in Tel Aviv for the competition, I felt like a celebrity. Restaurants and stores donned the Maccabiah 21 flag, and we were given free entry into places—a necessary ego boost before our competition. Even the opening ceremonies was televised and featured several famous Israeli performing artists. Walking across the stage in Teddy Stadium, trading pins, and dancing with thousands of Jewish athletes from Ukraine, Chile, and Australia to music and a fireworks display—it all felt surreal.

Another surreal moment: winning a gold medal for the squash team event. Squash is not a “rah rah” sport, but when we managed to beat the Israeli National Squash Team by one match, the tournament felt like a football game. While the competitive energy was high, the comradery of all the players and their eagerness to meet new people was overpowering. I connected with players of all ages and backgrounds—a highlight friendship being the Chilean master’s division (50+) who bombarded me with hugs

Haley Bloch wearing her gold medal.

when we ran into each other on the streets of Tel Aviv.

Squash and the Maccabiah Games was the inspiration of my journey to Israel this summer. However, I will remember the summer of 2022 not by the competition, but rather as the summer I reinforced my inextricable tie the Homeland. It is true that Israelis are undoubtably devoted to their nation and its success. I went to high schools where I was one of only a handful of Jewish students. I never felt like there was a community where people shared my passion for my Jewishness, and especially Israel. Though I am only a sophomore in college, I will hold onto what one Canadian squash player advised me when I mentioned my dream of making Aliyah: “Moving to Israel was the best decision of my life.”

Maccabiah was one for the books. Lastly…

*PSA for all you pickleball players: get ready because you will be happy to know they are adding it to the next Maccabiah Games in 2024!*

BY HARRY GREENBERG

Participating in the Maccabiah games was a spectacular experience that I will always cherish. My excitement started building weeks before when I learned that I was to be one of 10,000 Jewish athletes representing 80 countries and 42 sports. I had been chosen as a member of the Under 18 Judo team of the 2022 Macabbiah.

This was my first trip to Israel. Most of the passengers were other Maccabiah athletes. Landing in Israel, the homeland for Jews around the world, was thrilling.

During the first week in Israel, US athletes participated in Israel Connect, educational trips to significant sites throughout Israel. I had learned about the history of sites such as the Western Wall and Yad Vashem, but these direct experiences brought the Jewish history to life in a way I had never imagined and enriched my connection to the Jewish people.

What an inspiring journey the Jewish People have made through the ages! We started as a small group, sustained through enslavement in Egypt, and finally established our own kingdom based in Jerusalem. Despite our dispersion throughout the world, the Jewish people returned to Israel following the horrors of the Holocaust and reestablished our nation in our ancient homeland. We have thrived!

My US teammates and I then met Maccabiah athletes representing nations from Israel to Australia to Brazil. As we traded shirts and pins, we became friends despite speaking different languages. It was an exciting experience to spend my days with other athletes who were all Jewish.

The Maccabiah games were thrilling from beginning to end. The opening ceremonies in Jerusalem, attended by the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of the United States, were just like the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Each country marched in waving flags and cheering along with the crowd.

Harry Greenberg wearing his bronze medal.

The Judo training was first rate. We had the opportunity to practice at the top Judo clubs in Israel. The Judo competition was held over two days in a sports facility in Northern Israel. I won enough matches to get to the podium with a bronze medal!

I have wonderful memories of participating in Maccabiah 2022 and experiencing Israel. Hopefully, I will be able to participate in the next Maccabiah games in three years.