Maccabi Union of Great Britain x Union of Maccabi Associations in Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Maccabi Union of Great Britain x Union of Maccabi Associations in Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The Maccabi Union of Great Britain (Union of Maccabi Associations in Great Britain and Northern Ireland), like all other 'Maccabi' organisations, takes it name from the Jewish hero Yehuda Ha'Maccabi, leader of the successful National military revolt against the Syrian-Greek oppressors of the Jews in the period of the Second Temple. The festival of Chanukah commemorates this victory.

The first Maccabi organisation was established in Istanbul, Turkey in 1895. At that time, a Jewish National resurgence movement started and it was felt that physical fitness and capability in self defence were increasingly necessary qualities for the Jewish community to develop and enhance. Soon afterwards other clubs were founded elsewhere to encourage the development in Jewish youth of the mind, body and spirit prevalent in the tradition of the first Maccabeans. Some of these clubs were known as "Bar Kochba" (the name of a Jewish fighter for freedom), "Hakoach" (strength) and "Hagibor" (the strong man).

As the network of Maccabi clubs expanded Territorial Organisations were created to co-ordinate activities at national levels. The slogan "A healthy mind in a healthy body" was adopted, along with the greeting "Hazak Ve'Ematz" (be strong and courageous) and the emblem, which is the word Maccabi (in Hebrew) drawn into the shield of David (Magen David), an ancient Jewish emblem.

In 1921 the Maccabi World Union (MWU) was founded at the World Zionist Congress in Carlsbad to serve as the roof organisation for all Maccabi Territorial and National Organisations. It became the co-ordinating body for the promotion and advancement of sports, educational and cultural activities and the State of Israel among Jewish communities world wide. The head office of the MWU is in Israel. It is governed by the World Congress, the assembly of elected representatives of Maccabi Territorial Organisations throughout the world. The Maccabi movement has become the largest Jewish Youth Organisation with clubs in 30 countries and a total membership of over 200,000.

The Maccabi Union Great Britain is the more commonly used shorter name of the Union of Maccabi Assocations in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This is just one of the Territorial Organisations, and like its counterparts across the globe, it exists to promote the active participation in sports and education of young Jewish men and women, in order to enhance their Jewish identity, values and commitment to the community. It has its own national executive which is elected annually and serves in a voluntary capacity. Its head office is currently in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. It was previously based at Gildesgame House, 73 Compayne Gardens, London, NW6 (named after Pierre Gildesgame CBE, who started out as Chairman of the Maccabi Association of London and became Chairman of the MWU in 1957).

In 2001 the affiliated clubs of the Maccabi Union Great Britain in the London area are Belmont; Brady; Bushey; Catford; Chigwell & Hainault; E.D.R.S; Ivri; Kadimah/Victoria, Kenton; Kinnor; Launchpad; Luton; Maccabi Association London; Southend-on-Sea. Affiliated clubs in the regions are Brighton & Hove; Cardiff; Dublin; Edinburgh; Glasgow; Liverpool; Leeds; Leicester; Manchester & South Manchester; Newcastle; Sheffield

Physical education is a primary tenet of Maccabi life. This is reflected in the sports competitions held regularly in each country as well as cross continent. The Maccabiah (the "Jewish Olympics") organised by the MWU is the zenith of World Jewish Sports and is held regularly in Israel every four years. The first of these games took place in Tel Aviv in 1932. These games have obtained worldwide recognition and the International Olympic Committee awarded the MWU an "International Federation of Olympic standard". Maccabiah seek not only to achieve high standards in sport but to bring hundreds of Jewish youth to Israel where they compete with each other and see the country. Cultural, educational and social events are always included as part of the offical Maccabiah programme. The International Maccabiah Committee (IMC) is the administrative arm of the MWU now responsible for the organisation of the Maccabiah Games.