Bondi survivor’s spirited return to Maccabi team

Maccabi NSW Basketball Club was incredibly proud and grateful to welcome back Bondi Chanukah terror attack survivor Elon Zizer to his Maccabi men’s team last week for the first time.

There were bold and beautiful cheers, and some joyous tears, as Zizer – who had been shot six times, been in a coma for 10 days, and had gone through multiple surgeries – was presented with his Maccabi playing shirt pre-game by the team’s captain and longtime club committee member Brad Nissen.

What’s more, the particular team – in his honour – officially changed its name to the Maccabi Zizers – a gesture that brought a beaming smile to his face.

In February this year – when he’d met returned Israeli hostage Emily Damari during her visit to Sydney – Zizer was still wearing an arm sling, and it has taken many months since to be able to be in the condition to play competition basketball again.

It happened to be round one of the City of Sydney Basketball Association’s open men’s division 4A spring season, when the moment was right, and he was ready.

And although the team had a 35-55 loss, Zizer, his teammates, and Maccabi basketball supporters all felt like winners, due to the significance of his heartwarming return to the court.

“Elon’s return was truly a special moment for our entire Maccabi community,” the club said in a statement.

“Even more meaningful, his teammates have named their team The Maccabi Zizers – as a beautiful symbol of friendship, strength and solidarity.

“Welcome back, Elon. Your courage, strength and determination are an inspiration to us all!”

The team’s captain and longtime club committee member, Brad Nissen, told The AJN today that among the vocal band of supporters who were courtside at last Sunday’s game were Zizer’s two young children – who held sign’s saying “Go Daddy” and “Elon is back” – his niece, his parents, and also his brother-in-law, Ben, who is a member of the team too.

“Elon had joined the team last year, he’d been coming to training, and was about to commence playing his first game when the Bondi terror attack happened, and he got shot,” Nissen said.

“So, this first round of the spring season was actually his first actual game for the team, and you know what… right at the beginning, he scored a three-pointer, and everybody erupted in excitement.

“It was an amazing moment – it sent shivers down my spine.

“And although the team lost the game, we tried our best, and we were all so elated to have Elon back.

“It was a wonderful Maccabi moment.”