Maccabi Bridge bridges generations
Last weekend, Maccabi Bridge held its inaugural 2026 National Championships in Sydney, bringing together more than 50 bridge players from across the community for a day of competition, strategy and social connection.
The event showcased bridge as more than a card game, highlighting its benefits for concentration, mental agility and lifelong cognitive health. It also reinforced the game’s social value, with players working in partnership and building connections across generations.
Maccabi Bridge held its inaugural 2026 National Championships in Sydney
Maccabi said the championships reflected a broader strategic aim to engage the community beyond traditional competitive sport.
“Strategically, Maccabi is looking to engage the community more broadly than just competitive sport, which bridge certainly falls into,” Maccabi General Manager David Goldman said.
“It is a fantastic activity that attracts an audience not traditionally engaged through sport, particularly our older community members. That said, our youngest participant was 23 and our oldest was 93.
“Given everything that has taken place over the past two and a half years, this is yet another demonstration of the role Maccabi can play in fostering greater social cohesion, both within the Jewish community and across the broader Australian community.”
Maccabi Bridge players in deep concentration
Participants competed in two closely contested sessions under the direction of bridge director Matt Smith.
Between rounds, players and guests shared lunch and had the chance to meet fellow competitors in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
The day also featured a talk by Dr Ron Ehrlich, a holistic health advocate and author of “A Life Less Stressed”. Dr Ehrlich spoke about the five pillars of health and wellness, adding a broader wellbeing focus to the event.
The championships concluded with presentations to the first, second and third place winners, recognising the skill, teamwork and sportsmanship shown throughout the day.
Organisers congratulated all winners and participants, saying their support had helped make the first Maccabi Bridge National Championships a success.
