Pilgrims Of The 17th Maccabia Games: It’s The Visit That Counts
As the only all Jewish sporting event in the world, the Maccabia’s goal is to bring together Jewish athletes from across the globe to compete with each other in a Jewish environment.
Though the primary focus of the games was sport, it was clear that the underlying message this year was aliyah, immigration to Israel.
The theme of aliyah was repeated over and over by politicians and Maccabia executives during the three-week period it was sprawled over the Israeli map.
“We need you now more than ever,” was the common cheer from podiums as enthusiasm for Jewish immigration echoed in arenas and stadiums.
“Next time, we want you to be part of the Israeli delegation,” was another way the Israeli organizers hinted to the visitors that it was time to sell the house in Houston and invest in the best Jewish education possible, the Land of Israel.
The push for aliyah definitely tagged the Maccabia as a Zionistic event. However, press covergae of the games focused mainly on the controversies between judges and athletes, logistical errors by organizers and intermissions in which dancing girls performed impressive gymnastic moves but for exceedingly long periods of time.
Fascinated by the passionate pleas for world Jewry to rise to the occasion and make aliya, I spent an evening at the Tel Aviv Hilton speaking with Maccabia tourists.
In asking how it felt hearing Israelis continuously say, “we want you here,” and “we need you,” the general response was that being in Israel was wonderful but it was clear for most the visit was important, not settling the land.
“You have to have it in your heart,” said a woman from LA.
She was happy to travel here and support the economy but for practical reasons, moving to a ‘foreign’ country was not in the grand plan.
“Jerusalem is definitely my favorite city now,” said Mark Polan whose son was competing in junior basketball. Still, living here would not be easy he said.
Aimee Wellings came to Israel 30 years ago and spent time at kibbutz Daganya.
“Just being in the country that is my homeland feels so good,” Aimee said.
She explained that in the states, her son usually competes alone as a Jew and the experience to be with so many Jews has been exhilarating. Also, being in Israel has drawn her closer to wanting to speak Hebrew and she hopes to encourage athletes like her son to learn the language.
However, though she “loves” being a Jew in Israel, she wasn’t sure if she could make her life here.
Then there was Debbie and Howard, a couple from California with very strong opinions.
“No!” Debbie said when asked if she would make aliya. “I would never live here because it’s too hot and I’d have to learn the language.”
When asked about the pleas from native Israelis to come live in Israel, Howard felt the need to address the issue.
“I think it is an elitist attitude and Jews are living in a 1948 self imposed persecution,” he said.
“Does that mean you’re not proud of the state of Israel?” I asked.
“We haven’t changed with the times,” he answered.
“The State of Israel doesn’t mean anything to me and I’m proud to be an American from Venice Beach,” he said.
Wanting to probe further and decidedly nosy, I asked what made them so anti-Israel. Their comments were similar to those of others who viewed the country as a ‘theocracy,” an environment in which they couldn’t bear to live. Issues of church and state brought Debbie to explain how when she wanted to convert to Judaism in America, the Orthodox rabbi wanted her to do ‘all kinds of things.’ Instead, she went to a Reform rabbi, something she couldn’t do here.
Finally, after describing her journey to become Jewish she made a lowly general comment about rabbis.
In response, I straightened up, adjusted my kippa, took notice of my dangling tzitztit (fringes) that were dancing from under my shirt and blurted out:
“Hey, I’m a rabbi!”
“No you’re not,” she said. “You don’t have peh’ot –those side curls”
“Really, I am,” I said explaining that one doesn’t need to grow the hair on the sides of one’s head extra long to be a rabbi. I helped them understand that the driving force with which religious Jews embellish certain commandments is essentially love for that mitzvah, not a symbol of ordination.
As I moved on, I met another couple from LA whose son was currently in negotiations with a major Israeli soccer team to play professional ball in the Jewish State. Though moving the entire family here was not something they would presently consider, they felt comfortable with their son having the opportunity.
“We are looking at the situation in the same way as if it was an LA team,” they said. “It’s about compensation, environment –we’re not looking at safety and that says a lot about this family.”
It certainly did. After the majority of people I spoke with expressed their appreciation for being in Israel, most expressed bewilderment for the invitation to come and live here.
“What’s the reason they want us to come?” said Eric Katz.
“Won’t we be boxing ourselves in as a people?” said Alex, a young man standing next to Eric.
Most Jews I spoke with from America could not understand the importance of the state of Israel to the Jewish people.
A vacation place? Yes.
A home? Well, not quite.
Barry Gurland, a Modern Orthodox looking gentleman had a different twist to the Maccabia experience.
“I’ve been coming here for the past 32 years and my first Maccabia was number 9,” Barry said adding, “I think Maccabia definitely brings people to make aliyah.”
Barry proceeded to tell a story about a Jewish athlete who was engaged to a non Jewish woman. The athlete came to Israel as part of the Maccabia games in the 80’s and when he returned to America to organize the wedding, he felt something was wrong and called it off.
“This year the US delegation brought to Israel 750 athletes that are Jews,” Barry said exuberantly.
“We’re going to bring home 700 Jews that are athletes,” he stated triumphantly.
I’m not a mathematician but I knew 50 people were missing from that count. When I inquired about those ‘wandering Jews,’ Barry smiled and answered:
“They’ve already decided to stay!”
Though there were no figures as to how many of the Maccabia tourists would extend their visits permanently, Barry’s point was clear. The idea that a mere trip to Israel would plant seeds in the minds of Jews from all over the world that Israel is important and being Jewish is important is a victory for the games themselves.
Only the future will show if it is enough of a victory for the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
Related Posts
About The Author
