Eitan Tibi and Eli Dasa spent Thursday afternoon putting together food packages for Holocaust survivors in the Jaffa area along with Maccabi supporters as part of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation programing. After arriving at the Jaffa Institute’s Food Distribution Center, which is located just a short walk away from the Yellow & Blue Training Facility at Kiryat Shalom, the players learnt about the plight of those who survived World War II and now find themselves aging and in need of the organization’s help.

Following the packaging, the boxes of food were delivered throughout the neighborhood as the Foundation volunteers were met with smiles and thanks by the recipients. Foundation Head Josh Halickman said: “In the long tradition of Maccabi Tel Aviv, it was the least we could do to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It was extremely important to show that as a Club we do care about those who not only suffered through one of the Jewish People’s worst nightmares but are now struggling on a day to day basis.”

After a number of days touring Israel, representatives of the Barcelona Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Catalonian club met with Maccabi Tel Aviv at Kiryat Shalom. Jordi Cardoner, Vice President of Football Club Barcelona and FC Barcelona Foundation, Nacho Mestre, CEO of FCB Foundation and Maria Valles, General Manager FCB Foundation were all part of the delegation that visited the training facility.

During the visit, the Barcelona representatives met with Sports Director Jordi Cruyff, Sharon Tammam the Club’s Commercial Director and the Head of the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation Josh Halickman who presented the honored guests with special gifts and discussed the importance of both of the Club’s community activities. Cardoner and the delegation also met with Maccabi Tel Aviv Captain Gal Alberman and Yossi Benayoun who at one time played for Spanish side Racing Santander.

Cardoner told the Official Maccabi Tel Aviv Website: “It’s truly a joy to be here, in this country where we’ve been so warmly received. It’s also an opportunity to meet Jordi and his team. He’s doing great work here and very important things to bring Maccabi to the level that he wants it to be at. We have been traveling the world to promote and introduce the Foundation along with explaining what we do.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Avi Rikan visited the Yehuda Maccabi School in Tel Aviv this morning and met with the third grade students concerning Fair Play and violence in sports.

Rikan spoke with the students for an hour about his personal story, his career and the path he took at their age to become a professional footballer along with discussing how he and his teammates deal with the issue of Fair Play on the pitch.

Following the visit, Rikan said: “A friend of mine asked that I come and speak to the children at school who love to play football during recess and sometimes when they really get into it, begin to argue and fight. They specifically requested that I talk about what it’s like from my point of view as a professional footballer to respect an opponent which is something that we do when we train and play.

The children really enjoyed hearing about my career and asked how I feel and behave when I lose as well as how I respect my colleagues. I hope that they learned something from me and I know that I learnt plenty from them. Kids today are very hooked on television, computers, phones and the internet. They are exposed to everything which makes our responsibility even greater.”

You know that old coat that’s been sitting in your closet for the past number of years? Or that sweater that hasn’t seen the light of day and has become an integral part of your cupboard? Now it’s time to give away the old, donate and get something new.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation and “HaBoydem” are pleased to announce a partnership together with one goal in mind, supporting the community. HaBoydem isn’t just a regular clothing store but one whose goal is to create self-sustaining second hand clothing stores which is serviced by people with disabilities who are being trained and empowered to maximize their potential, and integrate back into the competitive workplace.

As part of the project from January 10-31 any fan who contributes a coat, sweater or sweatshirt at the donation points at the Official Stores and merchandise stands around the stadium on Matchday will receive a 50% off coupon good towards any item from the Club’s Winter Collection.

This month let’s donate the old and get something new!