Kids create memories at 2026 ‘Carni’ in Melbourne

The 2026 Maccabi Junior Carnival, hosted by Maccabi Victoria in Melbourne from January 14-21, provided a much-needed boost of spirit, fun and connection for almost 600 Jewish teens from across the country and for the first time, a delegation from Israel.

A 12-strong Team Arava from Israel joined 400 Victorian peers, more than 120 kids from NSW, scores of Western Australian teens and several youngsters from Queensland, South Australia and Canberra, for a week of bonding through sport and social activities, that only “Carni” can deliver.

It was the highest-attended Maccabi Junior Carnival in 15 years and it began with a high-energy opening ceremony featuring team processions, Israeli drummers, DJs, pyrotechnics and a falafel feast.

Jewish AFL star Harry Sheezel came on stage to say hello and be interviewed by the 2026 Carni manager Lior Rauchberger, creating an extra buzz of excitement.

Sheezel inspired all the kids and signed three footy balls, which were presented to team Arava a few days later at a medals ceremony.

To top off an unforgettable start to the carnival, team members stood tall and linked arms while singing Hatikvah.

Maccabi Australia president Rod Rosmarin emphasised how “Carni isn’t just about sport, it’s about building the lifelong friendships and social cohesion our community needs now more than ever.”

Rauchberger urged the participants to “take it all in, be present and enjoy every minute”.

The competitive element of the week featured 12 sports, played across three days.

Results included team Victoria Pink winning all six of their matches to clinch the mixed volleyball title, NSW Red also being undefeated in the netball, and Victoria Orange coming first in basketball.

The Sky Blues were first in futsal, NSW Red were unbeatable in girls’ touch footy, Victoria Aqua came out on top in boys’ AFL 9s, and Victoria Maroon earned a clean sweep in football.

Awards for participants who embody the spirit of the carnival were presented to a boy and a girl in each state team and team Arava.

Evenings featured a pool party, a Riva disco party, and arcade games at Archie Brothers. There were also fun day trips to Luna Park and a water park.

Another highlight of the week was a Shabbat visit to Caulfield Shule and a community service day spent giving back in a program facilitated by Kids in Philanthropy, supporting 10 community organisations. The kids baked muffins for C Care, packed 750 “back to school” packs, 200 family-sized snack boxes for Mazon Australia, 400 school snack packs for Eat Up and help packages for the homeless.

They also learned more about JNF Australia and the broader role of community giving.

Making carnival possible were major sponsors and partners, an organising committee, over 80 Maccabi volunteers, youth leaders, 200 parent volunteers, billet families and security provided by CSG and Victoria Police.

ARAVA AUSTRALIA PARTNERSHIP

Carnival connects Israeli and Aussie kids

The history-making 12-member Arava team’s inclusion and participation in the 2026 Maccabi Junior Carnival in Melbourne “represents the heart of what our partnership stands for – connection, community and shared Jewish identity”, said Keren Sapir, director of the Arava Australia Partnership.

“We come from the central Arava – a small desert region in southern Israel filled with warmth, resilience and spirit,” Sapir said.

“For our young athletes, taking part in the carnival was not just about sport – it’s about meeting their peers from Australia, building lifelong friendships and feeling part of one global Jewish family.

“It gave our kids an experience of local Jewish community life in Australia and to discover how much we share, even though we live on opposite sides of the world.

“On the field they competed, but off the field they talked, laughed, stayed with host families and started building friendships that can last long after the carnival ends.”

Sapir added that the delegation’s vision was that the teenage Israelis would “feel they have a home in Australia and that Australian teens will know they always have a home waiting for them in the Arava.

“I want to thank our partners, the Maccabi Australia family, the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Jewish Agency.

“Also, all the volunteers, coaches, host families and parents, who are making this connection between Israel and Australia a living, growing reality.”