MAKKABI Germany Games 21

The MDG 21 at a glance

02.09. - 05.09.2021

Düsseldorf

Over 650 athletes

14 sports

12 - 99 years

The MAKKABI Germany Games 2021 - The biggest Jewish sports event of the year!

More than 650 athletes competed in swimming, futsal, bridge, basketball, beach volleyball, shooting, fencing, sailing, chess, table tennis, tennis, cycling, triathlon, weightlifting and martial arts at the MAKKABI Germany Games from September 2nd to 5th compete against each other in the Juniors, Open and Masters categories. The fact that the opening ceremony of the MAKKABI Germany Games was the largest Jewish event in North Rhine-Westphalia in recent years fills us with great joy. As part of the anniversary year "1700 years of Jewish life in Germany" and against the background of the recent increase in anti-Semitism in Germany and Europe, these games were a strong sign of self-confident and open Judaism in Germany and a living symbol of diversity, cohesion and friendship across borders across religions and nationalities. The supporting program offered various workshops with speakers such as Shaul Ladany or the Olympic ambassador and politician Ralf Bockstedte, as well as the first Jewish obstacle course in Europe - the 321 MAKKABI Run. In addition, the largest Shabbat celebration in North Rhine-Westphalia took place on Friday evening with over 700 participants.

After the ceremonial entry of over 650 athletes - members of the MAKKABI local groups and members of the Jewish communities aged between 12 and 99 spoke Alon Meyer (President of MAKKABI Germany), Andrea Milz (NRW State Secretary) and Dr. Stephan Keller (Mayor of the City of Düsseldorf), inspiring greetings. MAKKABI was also able to welcome the renowned football expert and Germany gourmet Reiner Calmund, who in his speech emphasized the importance of the Jewish association work in sport and society as well as the special friendship between Germany and Israel. A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of the "Maccabees Prize" to Shaul Ladany. Ladany (85), who survived the Holocaust and the 1972 Olympics attack in Munich, was a marathon runner and was Israeli national champion in walking several times. He still practices the sport regularly today - just like under the flag of MAKKABI Germany with the European Maccabi Games 2019 in Budapest. The opening ceremony was followed by a varied cultural program with musical performances by Sam Oberhand, Kippalive and Samuel Haas as well as a speech by Rabbi Aharon Ran Vernikovsky from the Düsseldorf Jewish Community. After the closing speech by Abraham Lehrer, Vice President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, the opening ceremony ended with a big fireworks display. The sporting opening took place a few hours earlier at 17:30 p.m. as part of a football tournament between the MAKKABI Allstars, the traditional Fortuna Düsseldorf team and the 1. FC state parliament immediately before the official opening ceremony. Special highlight: The CDU member of parliament and former gymnast Eberhard Gienger opened the traditional tournament with a parachute jump onto the soccer field in the Niederheid sports park. Reiner Calmund then kicked off the first game.

A national and international highlight of the MAKKAI Germany Games this year was the first Jewish obstacle run in Europe - the 321 MAKKABI Run, with 12 varied obstacles and over 150 participants. 321 had a very special meaning, because this year we celebrated 1.700 years of Jewish life in Germany and thank you for it 321 eV for the support!

We would like to thank the Federal Ministry of the Interior, for Building and Community, the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the sports city of Düsseldorf, Aktion Mensch and the Central Council of Jews in Germany for their support in enabling, planning and implementing the MAKKABI Germany Games.