A special Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony was held at half time in the match against Maccabi Petach Tikva
Much like last year at this time, Maccabi Tel Aviv were able to celebrate at a "home" match the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, marking the triumph of an earlier tribe of Maccabis. On this the sixth night of the festival, thousands of Maccabi fans at the Municipal Stadium in Netanya watched on as special guests were invited on to the pitch at half time to do the traditional lighting of the six Hanukkah candles.
Maccabi CEO Martin Bain was given the special honour of lighting the first candle, followed by legendary Maccabi striker Yehoshua "Shaya" Glazer – accompanied by his 12 year-old granddaughter – who will be celebrating his 87th birthday on the 29th of December. In the 1950's, Shaya lead his Maccabi side to a complete domination of Israeli football that included five league championships and four State Cups.
Another of the great symbols of Maccabi and Israeli football of the time, the 81 year-old Noah Reznik, was called upon to light the third candle. At his side were his two great granddaughters, Ella and Noga. A team-mate of Shaya's, the defender Reznik made seven appearances for the Israeli national team in an illustrious career that spanned twelve years.
Candle number four was lit by Baruch Ezrati, who for nearly fifty years served as director of Maccabi Tel Aviv's Youth Division and next month will be celebrating his 95th birthday. Despite his age, Ezrati has continued to be an enthusiastic follower of the club's senior and youth teams for many many years. He too was accompanied by two of his descendants, great grandchildren Eytan and Rotem, who along with all the other grand and great grandchildren was given the special treat of lighting the fifth Hanukkah candle, together with Maccabi mascot "Maccabinio".
The final candle was lit by Uriel Robaro Schein, one of thirty members of the Maccabi World Union leadership programme "Bekeff Hadracha", who were all guests at the match. Uriel arrived in Israel four months ago and is a volunteer at Kibbutz Hatzerim near Beer Sheva.
