As part of one of the days of the ‘Dream trip’ led by ‘Reach out’ under the ‘Returning to life’ project, a special get together was held with Maccabi Tel Aviv first team players. The children, all survivors of captivity, along with their families, were hosted for a nice lunch.

Later, that day the children were the club’s guests of honor for the Champions League second qualifying round first leg match against Cypriot champions Pafos, a sporting experience filled with moments of joy.

Watch: Madmon recounts the meeting with Yuval Engel

 

The ‘Reach Out’ organization, which supports children with terminal illnesses throughout the year, has been acting since October 7th to support children who were released from captivity in Gaza, aiming to assist them in their rehabilitation process. The organization embarked on its third such trip since the beginning of the war as part of the “Returning to life” project.

On the day of the match alone, the collaboration between the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation, ‘Ahim Lasemel’ and the Fattal hotel chain made this event possible.

Daniel Levy, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s VP of Trade & Business Development, said: “We are glad that we had the privilege to host the delegation from ‘Reach Out’ and to bring even a little bit of joy to the children and their families. As a club, we are committed to doing everything in our power to use football’s influence, provide support and raise the awareness for the families who are reliving October 7th every minute of every day. It is our moral and ethical duty as a country and as a club. Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces at the match was the greatest motivational speech our team could have received. We will continue to spread good alongside our partners from ‘Ahim Lasemel’. Special thanks to the Fattal hotel chain for their immediate willingness to assist in making the event happen.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC held this evening (Monday) a candle lighting event at Bloomfield stadium. Organized by the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation, the event which was staged for the second season in succession at Bloomfield’s VIP lounge. The ceremony was attended by families of fans who were murdered, killed, or kidnapped during the deadly attack on October 7^th or in the Swords of Iron war since, the first team playing and coaching staff as well as club’s management.

This year, in a bid to acknowledge the contribution of members of our community, eight guests were invited symbolizing the 8 candles in Hannukah, whose actions represent values of unconditional giving and courage. Such values strengthen our foundations as a community.

Members of the Maccabi community who received the honor this year was Dr Osnat Levzion-Korach (General Director of Shamir Medical Center), Ido Shimriz (brother of Alon Shamriz who was taken hostage from Kfar Aza and after escaping his captives was mistakenly shot dead by IDF soldiers on Dec 15^th 2023), Dvir Dangur, Dudu Brown, Carmi Yogev, Nira Shpak as well as Mandy and Tom Damari the mother and brother of Emmily who is still held hostage for 451 days.

During the event, which was hosted by Yossiel Ne’eman, Maccabi’s CEO, Ben Mansford, said amongst other things: “We try and do our best to try put a smile on your faces, especially on the pitch and I’m so proud that we have already secured two titles this season and continue to fly the Maccabi and Israeli flag abroad, and in doing so, I believe Zarko and the Players are showing the real Maccabee spirit. What we can promise you all again – is that we will continue to do our best to support you and your loved ones, honoring their memory or assisting their recovery.”

Dr Osnat Lezion Korach, General Director of Shamir Medical Center, said: “After October 7^th and in addition to treating soldiers, we opened a medical center for civilians, survivors of the Nova festival, and members of the security forces suffering from PTSD. The amazing results give us all hope to many people who might be living in a healthy body but they are mentally scarred. We are all geared up and prepared to treat the hostages once they return and will do so with the utmost sensitivity and care.”

Today we mark the international Children’s Day which is celebrated world wide on November 20th and commemorates the Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation initiated yet another first collaboration with the Make-A-Wish NGO. As part of the first of many joint ventures between Maccabi and Make-A-Wish we fulfilled a dream for Or and Oren who experienced a memorable experience at a training session with the first team.