20TH MACCABIAH GAMES
The World Maccabiah Games
Hebrew: משחקי המכביה or Hebrew: משחקי המכביה העולמית; plural Maccabiot)
First held in 1932, the Maccabiah Games are an international Jewish multi-sport event now held quadrennially in Israel. It is the third-largest sporting event in the world, with 10,000 athletes competing on behalf of 80 countries. The Maccabiah, which is organized by the Maccabi World Union, was declared a “Regional Sport Event” by, and under the auspices and supervision of, the International Olympic Committee and international sports federations in 1960. The Maccabiah is often referred to as the “Jewish Olympics”.
Contributed by Brian Schnitzer