2013 Maccabiah Games Begin in Jerusalem
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2013 Maccabiah Games Begin in Jerusalem

  • 7/18/2013
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    The 19th Maccabiah Games began on Thursday in Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium, as more than 9,000 athletes, coaches, and staff from over 70 countries traveled to Israel to take part in the Jewish Olympics. Events are being held throughout the country and will run through July 30. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres were in attendance at the opening ceremony to honor and welcome the thousands of athletes converging on the State of Israel. 32,000 spectators watched the Opening Ceremony which included the athletes' march, the lighting of the torch, and live performances by internationally renowned artists such as Rami Kleinstein, one of Israel's greatest composers, Grammy Award winning violinist Miri Ben Ari, X-Factor USA finalist Carly Rose Sonenclar, and Canadian-born singer and winner of The Voice - Israel Kathleen Reiter.

    Famous athletes like New York Knicks player Amar’e Stoudemire, who is coaching the Canadian men’s basketball team, and Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, who was honored during the opening ceremony, follow past athletes like Mark Spitz, Jason Lezak and Lenny Krayzelburg in participating in the Maccabiah Games and represent some of the immense talent participating in the games. 

    The U.S. delegation is the largest delegation in the games, with over 1,100 athletes from across the United States. Two-time Olympic medalist Garrett Weber-Gale was chosen to carry the United States’ flag during the opening ceremony. 

    The Maccabiah Games are the world’s largest Jewish sports competition and take place every four years in Israel. The Maccabiah Games began in 1932 in Tel Aviv during the British Mandate with almost 400 athletes from 18 countries.  
     
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