From July 4 to 8, 2025, the MAKKABI-JA event (Maccabi-Yes) brought together more than 150 young Jewish athletes from across Germany in Berlin’s Olympic Park for a week of sport, learning, community, and remembrance. The event was launched by MAKKABI Germany as a response to the postponement of the Maccabiah 2025 due to the security situation in Israel. The European Olympic Academies (EOA) were honoured to be present through EOA President Prof. Dr. Manfred Laemmer, who participated throughout the entire programme.
Prof. Laemmer led an educational seminar for the young participants, offering historical insights into the Maccabi movement and its deep connections with both Jewish emancipation and the foundation of the State of Israel. His lecture not only traced key milestones of Jewish sport but also sparked an engaged and thoughtful dialogue among the athletes about the role of sport in Jewish identity and international recognition.
The official commemoration ceremony on Sunday evening, held at the grounds of the Landessportbund Berlin, marked an important moment of reflection. The event honoured the memory of the eleven Israeli athletes and the German police officer who Palestinian terrorists murdered during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Around 250 guests from politics, sport, and civil society attended the ceremony, which included speeches by Dr. Christiane Schenderlein (German Minister of State for Sport and Volunteering), Alon Meyer (MAKKABI Germany), Daniel Botmann (Central Council of Jews in Germany), Omid Nouripour (German Bundestag), Anan Zen (Embassy of Israel), Thomas Härtel (LSB Berlin), and German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) President Thomas Weikert.
EOA President Laemmer in conversation with Alon Meyer, President of MAKKABI Germany, and Dr Christiane Schenderlein, German Minister of State for Sport and Volunteering. © Makkabi/Mareen Meyer 
EOA President Laemmer during the memorial ceremony, paying tribute to the victims of the 1972 Munich Olympics attack. © Makkabi/Jessica Brauner 
Speakers and guests of honour applaud during the closing ceremony of MAKKABI-JA 2025. 
Artistic performance by the rhythmic gymnastics youth teams of MAKKABI Germany. © Makkabi/Mareen Meyer 
Focused and thoughtful young participants during the memorial ceremony. © Makkabi/Mareen Meyer 
EOA President Laemmer in conversation with Minister of State Dr Christiane Schenderlein. © Makkabi/Jessica Brauner
Beyond the strength of the programme, it was once again impressive to witness the seamless cooperation between the many stakeholders from the worlds of sport, politics, security, and Jewish life. The joint efforts of MAKKABI Germany, the Landessportbund Berlin, the Berlin Senate Department for the Interior and Sport, and the Berlin police created a safe and dignified space – a true “Safe Space” – where Jewish athletes could train, connect, and be proudly visible. That such an event needs to be held under tight security measures highlights the challenging reality that Jewish communities in Germany and around the world continue to face, making this collaboration and commitment all the more important and valuable.
The European Olympic Academies thank MAKKABI Germany for the kind invitation and acknowledge the efforts of all organisers and partners for their valuable contribution to remembrance, education, and the promotion of Olympic values.
