MACCABI AUSTRALIA

Maccabi Junior Carnival spirit soars in Perth

Almost 300 kids from four states enjoyed a wonderful week in Perth for the 2025 Maccabi Junior Carnival.

Members of the NSW, Victoria, and Western Australia teams bond after another afternoon of sport at the 2025 Maccabi Junior Carnival in Perth. Photo: Maccabi
Members of the NSW, Victoria, and Western Australia teams bond after another afternoon of sport at the 2025 Maccabi Junior Carnival in Perth. Photo: Maccabi

Perth put on a pumping week-long party and a packed competitive sport program that thoroughly entertained, energised and enriched the summer school holiday break for 292 Jewish kids from years 7-10, hailing from Western Australia, Victoria, NSW and Queensland, for the 43rd Maccabi Junior Carnival, from January 14-21.

Commencing with a spectacular opening ceremony and a warm welcome from hosts Maccabi WA, carnival participants enjoyed playing a wide array of sports by day – from frisbee, futsal and touch footy to basketball, netball, tennis and more.

Face painting proved popular.

Each night there were buzzing social activities, including a river cruise, neon, foam and pool parties, and tenpin bowling.

There was also a community day, where the kids could help paint a mural at a retirement village, learn first aid and self-defence skills, experience wheelchair basketball and hear inspiring talks by visiting Israeli Maccabi youth leaders.

To top it off, there was an excursion to Adventure World.

Netball action between Victoria and NSW.

The carnival’s success was due to Maccabi WA’s organising team, dozens of volunteer Maccabi youth leaders, almost a dozen team managers and Perth families who generously accommodated interstate participants in their homes.

The 135-strong team Victoria included Alfie Sellyn and Tamar Elboher, who received the Nathan Hofbauer Award for excellent sportsmanship, teamwork and a positive attitude.

Maccabi Victoria general manager Shari Cohen thanked Maccabi WA and team Victoria’s co-managers Chantel Klein, Rachelle Goldenberg and Belinda Hesse and every team Victoria participant, who “didn’t just excel in the 12 sports they competed in, but built friendships, strengthened their Jewish identity, and represented Victoria with incredible pride and spirit”, Cohen said.

“Watching them come together as a team, and as part of the wider community, was inspiring and shows what Maccabi is all about.”

A futsal match between NSW and Victoria.

Team NSW had 52 participants, and Noa Goodstone and Samuel Goldberg were the joint winners of Maccabi NSW’s carnival good sportsmanship award.

Team NSW co-managers Taryn Levin and Natalie Simon reflected at carnival’s end: “What a privilege it’s been to meet and engage with this great group of kids from NSW!

“They’ve embraced this wonderful experience with incredible energy and mateship and it’s been an absolute blast.

“Thank you to all for the opportunity to be part of this incredible experience in Perth.”

Enjoying the 2025 carnival foam party.

Perth parent Carla Baron summed up the spirit of ‘Carni’ 2025 perfectly, saying it was “absolutely phenomenal – and I’ve never seen a happier bunch of kids!

“The carnival made connections that will be lifelong.”

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