Maccabi Australia launches Israel program

AN innovative new Israel program for school-leavers, which is set to revolutionise Maccabi across the globe, has been launched by Maccabi Australia (MAI).

MAI launched the five-month Maccabi Australia Israel Program (MAIL) this week, and if it is a success, it will be rolled out worldwide by Maccabi World Union (MWU).

The program, based at the Wingate Institute, Israel’s equivalent of the Australian Institute of Sport, focuses on sports and leadership to build Maccabi leaders of the future.

MAIL will include extreme sports, a week in the army, leadership training, a week in Jerusalem, trips across Israel and three core components allowing participants to gain a UEFA coaching qualification, an equivalent basketball qualification, or a general leadership qualification for people associated with other sports that Israel does not offer specialist training in.

Participants will also attend major sporting events, including Maccabi Haifa football matches, Tel Aviv Maccabi basketball matches, the Israel Tennis Open and local rugby and netball games.

Maccabi NSW board member Danny Hochberg has been working on the project for two years.

“In my youth, I was an active member of Habonim Dror and went to Israel on a Shnat program. I then spent years as a leader in Habonim,” Hochberg said.

“I look back on my experience, and on the incredible training of other youth, and the contribution we made to the community, with great pride.

“I have often wondered whether the same model could be applied to Maccabi because we have traditionally relied on parents to volunteer and run its clubs,” he said.

He added that it has been hard to attract parents recently, but there are many people that have been involved with Maccabi since the age of five and that are potential leaders.

“Our youth love sport, are highly motivated and are natural leaders.”

MWU does not currently have a project like this and they see Australia as an incubator.

“We hope to attract current Maccabi participants, Jewish sports lovers and those keen to become involved,” Hochberg said.

“This is not for elite athletes alone, it is for all people who love sport and are keen to pass their love of sport onto others while developing themselves as individuals.”

There will be an information evening at Beth Weizmann Community Centret at 308 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield South, at 7.45pm on Tuesday, June 22. Enquiries:

Michael Bookman 0418 331 656.

JOSHUA LEVI

PHOTO: Roy Vandersluis leading the Australian team into the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel in July last year. Photo: Peter Haskin