Maccabi Australia Leadership Program Blog from Israel

My opening reflection – by Sinai Shaul

In the opening weeks, getting to know everyone was a major part of our group dynamics as we realised the reality of the coming 5 months. To my luck, the complete strangers from foreign parts of Australia have turned out a great bunch of individuals. I’m sure that we all agree that we have been blessed with an amazing madrich who has so far been an excellent mentor as well as an awesome friend. As well as this, the teachers and other helpers around us have been amazing.

Hadassah Neurim is an isolated but lovely village with sporting facilities and a stunning beachfront view, something like what we have back in Australia. We have also been lucky to meet a great group of Israeli youth that we have we have spent time socialising and practicing our Hebrew with.

So far, the most memorable part of the trip was volunteering in an orphanage, which I will be doing weekly. It was only the first week so we were just getting the feel for the place but so far, the kids are very friendly and open minded.

Me coming from a small town (Bellingen), it has been a great experience meeting other like minded people and I hope that our companionship will continue to flourish.

Maccabi juniors handpicked as future Socceroos

Hakoah Feds under-13 starlets, Brad Paikin (left) and Jordon Korton (right) are just like every other 13-year-old footballer; they live and breathe the game. The only difference is that they have been selected as one of the best 16 players in NSW.

Brad and Jordon have been selected for the Project 22 team – an FFA project that is dubbed the breeding ground for the next generation of Socceroos superstars. In each age group, only 16 players are selected, picked from thousands who trialled.

Project 22 players only train as a group. The individual players then play games on the weekend for their respective clubs. Despite being able to chose any any club at their disposal, Brad and Jordon both chose to play for Hakoah’s YDL side.

Their decision reinforces the camaraderie and friendship that is at the foundation of the Hakoah Feds Club.

Maccabi kids mix with tennis stars

Maccabi tennis’ youngsters were chosen by Tennis New South Wales to the Medibank Sydney International Tennis tournament at Sydney Olympic Park because of the talent and potential they have shown at Maccabi.

The kids took part in an on-court demo on the Ken Rosewall Centre Court prior to the first match on January 11, before welcoming Wozniaki and world number 32 Dominika Cibulkova onto court for their match. Read more

Carnival calling for our youth leaders

A group of excited youth leaders are in Melbourne at the moment, volunteering as youth leaders for the 29th Maccabi Australia Junior Carnival.

How many readers fondly remember their carnival experience? Read more

Bon voyage to Maccabi’s young pioneers

Maccabi can be such an easy sell sometimes.

Ask Ashleigh Werner, who is one of eight budding school-leavers who left Australia bound for Israel this week to begin a six-month adventure on the inaugural Maccabi Australia Incorporated Leadership program (MAIL). Read more

Record year for Maccabi Basketball

2010 has been a wonderful year for the NSW Maccabi Basketball Club, which enjoyed excellent results and also a big surge in membership – and therefore teams – in both the junior and senior age groups. Read more

Have you checked the MAIL?

Eight Maccabi teenagers will head to Israel in January, with the potential to change the way Maccabi thinks forever. Read more

Steve Solomon earns world ranking

Sydney teenager Steve Solomon smashed a 27-year record in the 400 metres at last week’s Australian All-Schools Athletics meet, and is now ranked World Number Two in the under-18s age bracket. Read more

Michael Puterflam breaks world record

Michael Puterflam is a school-leaver who is definitely making the most of his time – even when he’s playing video games.

The 17-year-old Moriah graduate broke the Guinness World Record on Thursday for the longest consecutive time playing a football video game – 30 hours of FIFA 11. Read more

Procel’s vision for Asia Pacific

Maccabi Australia president Harry Procel says that Maccabi Australia Incorporated sees itself as the leader in the Asia-Pacific and aims to continue to build a “Maccabi family” in the region. Read more

Carnival Time

Martial Man

Maccabi Australia International Games Update

Maccabi NSW talks to MAIGS Australian Team Manager Ellana Aarons tells us everything we need to know about next month’s Games. Read more

Potential in the Pool

A Maccabiah Masters swimming star has launched an initiative to develop new swim stars. Read more

Up and coming tennis star

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