Maccabi Tel Aviv's young players who have reached the age of thirteen were taken on a traditional Bar Mitzvah trip to Jerusalem
Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club continue their efforts to serve their young players, and not just in their footballing skills. As is the case every year, children at the club's Youth Division who this year reached the age of thirteen were treated to a special traditional Bar Mitzvah celebration in the form of a trip to the nation's capital in Jerusalem. The lucky youngsters hailed from Maccabi's Under-13 Team South, who just recently won the prestigious State Cup for their age group, and the Under-13 Team North (class of 2001). Together with their parents, the lads visited a number of the capital's central points of interest as well as the surrounding area, including a visit to the Wailing Wall and the country's decision-making centre, the Knesset.
The day started with a picnic before moving on to the sights of Jerusalem, the highlight of which was the Wailing Wall, where the youngsters and their families were treated to an extensive tour of a number of the points of interest at the Wall, a moving experience for both the players and the coaching staff alike. So much so that at the end the children participated in a traditional prayer accompanied by songs and dances. Those songs also included some Maccabi Tel Aviv supporter tunes, leaving in no doubt where these particular children hailed from. In addition to these more light-hearted activities, the children also received certificates indicating their reaching the Bar Mitzvah age at the Wailing Wall itself. This was followed by a visit to the ruins of the temple at the site and walk on foot through the old city of Jerusalem.
At the end of the tour the Bar Mitzvah group were also given the opportunity to visit Israel's parliament, the Knesset, and were given a guided tour that included meetings with members of parliament Ilan Gil'on and Ronen Hoffman, the latter himself a Maccabi Tel Aviv fan. Gil'on on the other hand supports a different club but that didn't stop him from wearing a Maccabi Tel Aviv shirt, which he wore proudly through the corridors of power.
Despite the unforgettable events experienced during the day by the young players, their parents and the coaching staff, their Bar Mitzvah celebration is by no means over. Next week all participants will gather once again for a traditional Bar Mitzvah party at Kfar Maccabiah near Tel Aviv.
