Category: Community

The Foundation & Nefesh B’Nefesh Team Up on Hanukah

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Israel’s newest citizens, who recently moved to the country with the help of Nefesh B’Nefesh enjoyed a fun day with the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation at Kiryat Shalom. Foundation Head Josh Halickman gave his History of Maccabi Tel Aviv through the Modern Day State of Israel Interactive Multimedia Presentation to the group while they also had a training session with Yellow & Blue Youth Department Coach Amir Sofer.

Later on the parents and children received Maccabi hats and munched on Hanukah Doughnuts before heading over to the Jaffa Institute where they put together food packages for the elderly who live in the area.

Birthright Israel visits Maccabi

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Birthright Israel groups are well known throughout the country and the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation is now also one of the stops on their journey throughout the Holy Land.

On Hanukah a group of over 50 Birthright Israel: Mayanot participants descended upon the training facility for an educational and fun filled activity that included Foundation Head Josh Halickman’s interactive multimedia presentation about the History of the Modern Day State of Israel through Maccabi Tel Aviv, sports and football.

They also participated in a training session on the Kiryat Shalom pitch under the direction of Coach Amir Sofer while learning about the Israeli media from the Club’s Press Officer Ofer Ronen.

Halickman said: “The Israel Birthright group had a wonderful experience where they were able to see how Zionism, Israel, Judaism, sports and of course Maccabi Tel Aviv can all be combined into one. Through the rich sports history of Maccabi Tel Aviv, we took a trip though time beginning with Theodor Herzl to the first sports clubs of Maccabi throughout Palestine. We then delved into Maccabi’s Holocaust connection to the founding of the Modern Day State of Israel and examined key moments along with Israeli athletes who have helped mold and represent Israel around the globe. Over the course of the presentation, we weaved our way through the many distinct communities that makes Israel the true melting pot of Jews worldwide plus the many other religions and people that help make Israel a unique society.

Sports in Israel is part of the day to day life of the average person who picks up the newspaper, listens to the news or watches TV. From football to basketball and of course the Olympics, Israel continues to strive to be the best it can be and provides the society at large a much needed diversion. Sports is woven into the fabric of the Israeli culture from the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat and reflects a vibrant, modern and creative society.
 
The group also participated in a training session with Amir Sofer, one of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s up & coming coaches who used both fun and educational activities on the field at the Kiryat Shalom Training Facility. The participants saw first hand how the most professional sports franchise in the country uses the latest in technology to continuously keep their athletes ahead of the curve. As well the Club’s Press Officer Ofer Ronen spoke about the challenges of navigating the Israeli media. I look forward to hosting more of these fabulous groups in the future.”

Maccabi & Special Olympics celebrate Hanukah

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The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation together with Yellow & Blue players, Eliel Peretz and Daniel Tenenbaum visited the Special Olympics Club in Ramat Aviv. Maccabinio along with US college students from the Aardvark Gap Year Program also entertained the athletes by playing UNIFIED Football, lighting the Hanukiah and eating doughnuts in honor of the Holiday.

Special Olympics Israel CEO Reuven Astrachan was also on hand for the excitement as the Maccabi Foundation continues to take the partnership with the organization that works with those individuals with intellectual disabilities to the next level.

Peretz & Tibi make special visit to Schneider

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Following their morning training session at Kiryat Shalom, Eitan Tibi and Dor Peretz went on an important mission as they made their way to Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Peatch Tikva. Loaded with doughnuts and presents for the kids, the pair of Maccabi Tel Aviv players met with children in the various different wards lighting up their day in honor of Hanukah.

The visit was part of the many community activities of the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation.

Maccabi Foundation & Injured IDF soldiers

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Over the past couple of weeks, the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation has been busy holding special presentations for the Yellow & Blue Youth Department sides with IDF soldiers who were injured in battle in recognition of Israel’s Injured Soldiers Day which took place on December 15th.

Liran Baruch who was injured in the second Intifada and Omer Levi who was severely hurt during Tzuk Eitan told their stories along with how they rehabilitated and continued living inspired lives. The young players were very moved and honored to have been in the presence of these two heroes as they asked many questions and looked ahead as to how they can be the best they can be as they serve Israel in the near future.

Honoring Israel’s Firefighters

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The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation delivered care packages to Firefighters and Rescue Services Personnel in Hadera, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv/Jaffa who battled the fires that raged across the country. In addition, the Club hosted 50 Firefighters and their families from the Herzliya and Petach Tikva Fire Stations at Saturday’s match against Hapoel Ashkelon.
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Josh Halickman, Head of the Foundation met with the firefighters who shared some of their experiences: “It was amazing to hear stories of bravery and absolute selflessness from the firefighters who battled fires throughout the country day and night. We should all be proud of their efforts.”

The care packages were supplied by Torat Reva Yerushalayim and were donated by people from the United States and Israel.

IDF Lone Soldiers Sports Day

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This past Friday, the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation took part in a special Sports Day for Lone Soldiers serving in the IDF at Sportek Tel Aviv. Over 100 Lone Soldiers participated in football, basketball and volleyball tournaments as Foundation Head Josh Halickman spoke about Maccabi, the importance of being a part of these activities along with awarding prizes to all!

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Amsterdam Business Students & the Maccabi Foundation

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The EOS/VU Amsterdam Student Annual Business Trip visited the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation at Kiryat Shalom for an interactive and educational program about the Club and more. Foundation Head Josh Halickman greeted the students and went on an in depth tour of the Training Facility which also included a discussion about the history of Maccabi Tel Aviv, its present and future. The deep connection of Maccabi, Israel and the Jewish people were on center stage as the programs and plans for the Foundation were analyzed specifically looking at how all are intertwined an the massive impact the Yellow & Blue can make on social change and around the world.

In addition, Raymond Atteveld, Maccabi’s Assistant to Performance Manager, Patrick van Leeuwen addressed the group about the philosophy and changes that are occurring within the Club’s Youth Department and how that will positively effect those youngsters who are striving to become professional footballers.

Group organizer Veerle Voermans said: “The presentation was very inspiring and we had a lot of fun visiting Maccabi Tel Aviv and learning about the Foundation.” One of the participants Joep van Gelder added: “”It was an amazing experience to visit the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation and its passionate people – Josh in particular. The integration of all kinds of cultures is an example that should inspire many people worldwide.”

Shimon Peres & Maccabi Tel Aviv – The Exhibit

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Maccabi Tel Aviv commemorated the life of Israel’s Ninth President Shimon Peres z”l at the most recent Europa League match against Alkmaar. A good friend of the Club, statesman, leader and dignitary, the former President was a true educator and guide when it came to peace and football.

Children from the Peres Center for Peace project “Twinned Peace Sports Schools” which was founded 20 years ago, accompanied the players onto the pitch prior to the match. This activity, among the many that the Center has established is a continuing legacy and vision of Shimon Peres who had said: “I hope that the day will come when battlefields will be replaced by the fields of sport.”


At the Stadium, a photo exhibit of the late Shimon Peres z”l participating in joint activities with the Club was presented. Former Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Captain Eran Zahavi attended the exposition and spoke of his close connection with Peres and about his last visit to the Peres Center for Peace when he was in Israel during the month of August. Zahavi also met with Yosef Avi Yair Angle, the long time Peres adviser who had also taken many of the pictures that were presented.

“Twinned Peace Sports Schools”
The project was launched in 2002, and brings together Jewish and Arab children aged 8-12 from various communities. The groups not only focus on sports activities, but also on combining peace building programs which are designed to break down barriers and stereotypes between the participants and foster values of peace and coexistence by changing attitudes toward the ‘other’.

The children who accompanied the players onto the pitch come from the twinned communities of Pardes Katz and Jaljulia. The two groups train together throughout the year and participate in joint programming where they learn about each other’s language, while discussing the importance of working together as a group. Hand in hand they break down barriers and make it clear that on the field of play the only language that is spoken is the language of football.

Maccabi Foundation Welcomes Nefesh B’ Nefesh for some football!

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The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation hosted over 100 new immigrants, Olim Hadashim from Nefesh B’ Nefesh, the organization that helps Jews from North America make Aliyah to Israel at the first leg of the Toto Cup quarterfinal match at the Netanya Stadium. Not only did the participants get to see a great game with tons of goals they also had the opportunity to take part in a unique presentation about Israeli football and specifically Maccabi Tel Aviv as well as having two of the children walk with the captains of the two teams onto the pitch.
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The presentation is one of the many programs that Foundation Head Josh Halickman has created to increase Maccabi’s connection with the many different populations that live in Israel. Most people in the group had never been to a Maccabi match and some have never been to a football game in their lives but all were sports fans. Sitting right in the first few rows in the center of the pitch, everyone went home happy learning about yet another great way as to why Israel is a special country with so much to offer.
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NBN representative Karen Richman commented about the activity: “100 Nefesh B’Nefesh Olim were treated to a great night of Israeli football! Before the game, Josh Halickman, Head of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation invited the Olim to the Press Room for an interesting and interactive presentation about the world of Israeli football where they learned about the country’s #1 pastime.

In addition to having great seats to an exciting game and even meeting some of the players two new Olim, brothers Koby and Ilan Shulman, who made Aliyah in 2015 from New Jersey had the honor of dressing up in uniform and escorting the captains out onto the pitch before the game – a moment any kid would remember forever! Thanks again to Maccabi Tel Aviv for a wonderful introduction to Israeli football and a fun way to integrate into life in Israel!”