Category: Community

Mofi Danziger Foundation Scholarship Ceremony

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The Michael “Mopi” Danziger Foundation Scholarship ceremony took place this morning at the Maccabi Tel Aviv Kiryat Shalom Training Center. The annual ceremony was attended by Sport Director Jordi Cruyff, Performance Director Patrick van Leeuwen as well as Gal Alberman who presented the scholarship awards.

The foundation is named after Supreme Court judge Yoram Danziger’s father and provides outstanding handicapped athletes and players from the Maccabi youth department with scholarships to help them continue to develop their skills. This year 5 athletes from the Ilan Foundation were awarded scholarships including: Hamze Kasam (swimmer 11yrs old), Michaela Yosopov (table tennis 15yrs old), Arthur Hasson (basketball 14yrs old), Rom Levi (swimmer 13yrs old) and Guy Vaknin (tennis 18yrs old) along with five players from the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department: Daniel Peretz (Under-17), Itai Rada (Under-15), Alon Abdi (Under-13), Amit Shadadi (Under-12) and Amit Kardi (Under-11).

Just before the scholarship presentation, Yoram Danziger said: “It’s exciting to have the Ilan athletes and Maccabi Tel Aviv players here together at this event. The understanding of Ilan’s handicapped athletes will help all players in the future. What brings these children together whether they are handicapped or not is the fight and the battle that they give on a day to day basis. The attempt to fight the pain and overcome the challenges that they have pushes them to continue to excel and prove themselves.”

Jordi Cruyff also spoke at the ceremony and said: “Moments like this also touch me on a personal level. My father started a foundation of his own and said that if you are in a position where you can help others you are obligated to do so. It’s always important to give others the chance to succeed who normally wouldn’t have these opportunities. Just as I learned from my father, I can say that I’m proud to be here today.”

Tibi & Lifshitz at the Mini-Mondial for Peace

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The Herzliya Municipal Stadium hosted the Peres Center for Peace Mini Mondial on Tuesday where children from both the Jewish and Arab sectors came together for their pinnacle event of the season after training together all year long. Among the guests were Maccabi Tel Aviv players Eitan Tibi and Daniel Lifshitz who joined together with other players from across the Ligat Ha’Al for this special occasion

During the course of the exhibition match, Tibi played as a striker and also scored a goal. The central defender spoke to the Official Website about the experience: “I’m ready to play in this role. This was one of the few goals that I scored over the past four seasons. The event was a lot of fun and a great experience. It’s fantastic to see all of these children playing together and it’s an honor to be a part of this program. There were a number of good players and a few who were really superb. Who knows, maybe we will see them in the future.”

About his fitness after being out injured:

“I’ll see how I feel after the next match. I hope that everything will be ok.”

Lifshitz also gave his point of view about the activity:

“It’s a big honor to be a part of this project. To be able to do something good for these children and also support multiculturalism and co-existence is really important.”

The keeper also spoke about Tibi’s goal:

“His goal isn’t something to laugh at. Perhaps Vidigal has to take something from this match and change his role on the pitch.”

A group of teenagers from the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation also took part in the activity as referees for the children’s matches in the stadium and on their auxiliary pitches close by. The group of tenth graders came from the Gann Academy in Boston and Ironi Hei in Haifa who are currently participating in a week long Maccabi Sports Program through the Foundation. As part of their trip they enjoyed the Yellow & Blue’s 2:0 victory over Maccabi Haifa at Sammy Ofer Stadium, a tour of the Sport 5 Studios, met with Israeli Tennis prodigy Yishai Oliel and played tennis at the Israel Tennis Center in Jaffa. Of course, they participated in a training session at Kiryat Shalom as well.

In addition, the Ambassadors of China, Finland, Canada, Slovenia, Ireland and Lithuania were in attendance as well as representatives from USAID and the American, Australian, French, Belgium, Italian and British embassies. Local mayors and other district heads were also present including, Shimi Oliel from Kochav Yair, Mohamed Vated from Jatt, Tal Gorki of Pardesia, Taibe Mayor Shoa Mansour Masora, Herzliya Mayor Moshe Fadlon, Issa Jabber dean Abu Ghosh and Yigal Lahav the head of the Karnei Shomron District.

Lone Soldier Jeep Trip through the desert

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The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation and the Michael Levin Lone Soldier Center went on an exhilarating trip throughout the desert with Yellow & Blue season ticket holders Israel Haikin and Merav Naor-Weinstock along with a crew of volunteer jeep drivers this past Friday. Coming off of the Gala Evening where Lone Soldiers were identified as one of the programs that the Foundation will focus on this coming season, the pair of Maccabi faithful rose to the occasion and hosted a true adventure where the group of close to 40 participants visited Horkanya and Mar Saba Monastery.

Along with sampling Israeli food delights, Foundation Head Josh Halickman made a special presentation of a team signed Maccabi Jersey to Israel & Merav as well as handed out Maccabi souvenirs and gifts to all.

If you would like to get involved with the Foundation, please contact Josh Halickman jhalickman@mtafc.com.

  • חיילים בודדים

  • חיילים בודדים

  • חיילים בודדים

  • חיילים בודדים

  • חיילים בודדים

  • חיילים בודדים

365K NIS Raised at Gala Evening 2016/17

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Just as in years past, Maccabi Tel Aviv held their Annual Gala in Tel Aviv. Present at the event were the Yellow & Blue players, professional staff and over 500 guests including the Club’s sponsors. The Gala Evening’s lead sponsor was HP Indigo while other sponsors included Profit, Yam Yagudaev, Eurodrive, Leaan and IBBLS. This year’s Gala was Maccabi’s third and Lior Suchard was the host of the special evening.

  • עמוס גבאי סמנכ"ל HP אינדיגו

  • ים יוגדאייב

All of the proceeds from the Gala will go to benefit the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation and the activities and programs that are done in conjunction with various non-profit organizations around Tel Aviv and Israel. Over the course of the evening, various projects were featured including Special Olympics, Chinuch L’Psagot and the Lone Soldier project together with Michael Levin and Beit Almog Shiloni. There was a Maccabi Ambassador for each program which included, Captain Sheran Yeini, Gal Alberman and Dor Micha.

The evening opened with words from the Owner’s Representative Jack Angelides who spoke about the importance of the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation and its activities to the Club’s owner Mitch Goldhar as one of his goals was to use the positive power of football to impact those off of the pitch as well.

“When Mitch Goldhar came to Maccabi he clearly stated that one of his motivations was to make a positive contribution to the community. I hope that the programs and projects of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation and our sponsors will achieve exactly that. Sometimes we forget that people see us as part of their family, and I feel that this is something important and a reminder about the responsibility and commitment that we have to keep improving all of the time. This is both on and off of the pitch. We have to work hard. I believe that this is an important event and together with your help we can significantly influence the lives of many people.”

One of the highlights of the evening was the Season Award winners including the Player of the Season, Goal of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and Youth Player of the Season long with the Honorary Lifetime Award. The recipients were chosen by a panel which included former Club President Gideon Brickman, former player and current Club Manager Benny Tabak, Sport Director Jordi Cruyff along with former players Eli Drikes and Boni Ginzburg.

During the event prizes were handed out to the donors including a dinner for two with a pair of players, a private training sessions for 6 children with two players, a VIP Box for 14 guests, a chance to be a part of the Club Photo along with Barak Itzhaki’s shoe that was used to score his famous bicycle kick goal against Maccabi Haifa.

Maccabi’s Emotional Encounter with a Holocaust Survivor

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All across Israel and around the world, Yom HaShoa, Holocaust Remembrance Day is being commentated and of course the Club did so as well. The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation invited Herta Goldman to Kiryat Shalom to tell her story to the Maccabi family.

The 89 year old Goldman began her presentation by speaking to the Under-15 side where she talked about her personal story of survival through hardship and resourcefulness during the Holocaust. Afterwards she met the First Team players and professional staff where she discussed her first days in the Land of Israel and the importance of the establishment of the State for the Jewish People following the Holocaust.

Captain Sheran Yeini presented Goldman a Yellow Jersey as Josh Halickman, the Head of the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation spoke about the connection of the Yellow Star that was worn by the Jews during the Holocaust and the Yellow worn by the players on the pitch as an everlasting memorial to the 6 Million Jews that perished.

Yellow & Blue Passover for the Needy

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This past Friday, The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation and Achim L’Semel got together at the Tel Aviv Port to prepare more than 300 food packages for the needy just in time for the Passover Holiday. Close to 200 fans including the Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv Under-15 Club arrived early in the morning, rolled up their sleeves and began by organizing tons of food including Matzot, juice, canned goods, snacks and even toothbrushes into boxes that were then delivered to the recipients all over the area.

Participants were treated to special Maccabi Foundation and Achim L’Semel T-shirts plus a visit by Maccabinio to the delight of the youngsters and adults in attendance. As Yellow & Blue songs played in the background everyone had a fantastic time for a very serious cause.

Good Deeds Day at the Maccabi Foundation

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Good Deeds Day is a constant every single day at the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation, but we went above and beyond to inspire those in need to mark the yearly occasion.

Chinuch L’Psagot, one of the Foundation’s partner organizations enjoyed an exciting event as Eyal Golasa, the Yellow & Blue star midfielder visited the Netanya Branch to talk with the children about the dedication it takes to become a professional footballer. Number 23 signed autographs and took pictures while the Club’s news sponsor, Pizza Prego donated a ton of pies for close to 100 participants!

In addition, a special joint video was produced by the Foundation along with Chinuch L’Psagot to encourage everyone to get involved in this special day.

Good Deeds Day 2017 Video

The Maccabi office staff packed boxes of food for Passover that will be delivered to Holocaust Survivors, the elderly and the needy at the Jaffa Institute close to the Kiryat Shalom Training Facility.

A visit to the Hadasim Youth Village in Even Yehuda was also on tap where Foundation Head Josh Halickman distributed Maccabi gifts to the children from broken homes.

The Foundation also took part in a special breakfast for Holocaust Survivors at Na Laga’at by the Jaffa Port that included gifts and a show.

Over 60 South American Jewish youngsters visit Maccabi

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Maccabi World Union, Maccabi Olami is one of the largest Jewish Sports Organizations in the world and the Maccabi Foundation was happy to once again welcome a group of over 60, 18-19 year-olds from South & Central America to Kiryat Shalom. Coming from countries such as Panama, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and others, the group had the opportunity to experience Foundation Head Josh Halickman’s “The History of the Modern Day State of Israel through Maccabi Tel Aviv”, trained on the pitches with Under-15 Head Coach Amir Sofer and also participated in a Tournament to determine which country had the best footballers present.

Halickman said, “Over the past year the Maccabi Foundation has developed an important relationship with Maccabi Olami, which allows us to reach so many young Jewish people around the world. To see these youngsters enjoying their time at Kiryat Shalom and getting a taste of the Yellow & Blue only increases their relationship and love for Israel and Zionism. They now have a team of their own that they can cheer on to go along with those in their countries of birth and we’re happy that Maccabi is it!”