Category: Community

Schoenfeld speaks to children at Gymnasia Herzliya in Tel Aviv

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After scoring the championship winning goal against Maccabi Haifa on Saturday, Aron Schoenfeld spent time with 300 children at Gymnasia Herzliya in Tel Aviv as part of Maccabi Foundation programming on Good Deeds Day.

Schoenfeld spoke about violence and racism in sports and also discussed how they effect the players themselves on the field of play.

At the end of the event, Schoenfeld summed up the programing to the Official Website: “I’m very happy to have visited the Gymnasia Herzliya in Tel Aviv and to have met these wonderful children. Once we were all kids and now as adults and professional athletes we understand the importance of helping educate the younger generation about good deeds and morals. This was a great event and it’s wonderful to be a part of the Maccabi Foundation activities which gives us an opportunity to give back and really be role models for the next generation.”

Ahead of Purim: Maccabi players visit children at Wolfson Medical Center

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Just before the Championship Playoffs begin, four Maccabi Tel Aviv players went to visit the children at Wolfson Medical Center. Ruslan Barsky, Maor Kandil, Dor Peretz and Omer Atzili took time out as part of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation programs to bring some joy to the boys and girls as well as their families ahead of the Purim Holiday.

The players went through the hospital and handed out jerseys, scarves, hats and official Maccabi Tel Aviv items to the many children they met. In addition, the players took pictures with the families and gave them encouragement as they go through a challenging time.

Retro Returns: The Maccabi Legends Team launch

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Over the past few weeks the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation bright bad, the club’s Legends Team which will train on a regular basis and will take part in Foundation programs and activities throughout the communities.

משחק ידידות של הוותיקים של מכבי

The Maccabi Legends hosted the Boston Braves at the PenguinPickUp Training Ground at Kiryat Shalom which was the official launch of the team in a contest that was won by the Yellow & Blue 8:0.

On the morning of the match, representatives from the Boston team visited the Maccabi offices and met with Club CEO Ben Mansford and Foundation Manager Yuval Shaham where gifts were exchanged and a friendly contract was signed between the two clubs. The Maccabi legends were also invited to take part in the World Championship which will be held in Boston.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United and other large clubs from throughout the world will take part in the competition.

Ben Mansford gave a motivational talk before the match and told the players that being a part of Maccabi never departs from a player at the age of a Legend.

The match itself was comprised of two 35 minute halves while Maccabi wore the home Yellow & Blue Kit while Boston wore red.

Starting XI: Yaron Melikson, Ziv Zeituni, Ran Oz, Jeffrey Ishai, Shlomi Ben Hemo, Amir Shelach (C), David Revivo, Guy Tzarfati, Eli Bitton, Haim Hagag, Meir Melika.

Bench: Itay Arica, Yakov Hillel, Amit Levi, Nir Tohar Lev, Idan Bitton, Yaron Dori, Gal Fibach, Yehiel Levi.

Staff: Ori Sliman, Gabai Lasri

Goal Scorers: Eli Bitton (2’), Melika, Tzarfati, Hagag, Drori, Lev, Idan Bitton.

The club will continue to train and play on a regular basis.

Another record is broken: Over 2,500 items contributed for Operation Warming Up

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The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation had a couple of very successful weeks as together with you, the fans we broke a record by contributing over 2,500 articles of winter clothing for the needy!
The contributions were made at specially designated stands around the Netanya Stadium and at the Team Stores as the Maccabi Family came forward to help the community in an unprecedented way.

Just like last year’s campaign another record was broken and here are the wonderful statistics:

  • Every fan donated 2.3 articles of clothing
  • The most popular item was sweatshirts (over 400)
  • Over 250 Maccabi items were contributed and many of the fans immediately purchased something new from the Club’s Winter Collection
  • The most popular location for donations was at the Netanya Stadium at the Beitar Jerusalem match (over 1,200 items)
  • More than 50 blankets were also donated over the course of the campaign

Under-15 Team packs food boxes for Holocaust Survivors

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The Under-15 team spent their afternoon packing food boxes for Holocaust survivors who live in the Tel Aviv area. The players together with the Maccabi Foundation marked International Holocaust Day by also learning about the survivors plight and how the Jaffa Institute helps those in need in the area. Following the packing, the boxes were delivered and accepted with a smile.

Maccabi Foundation and Lone Soldier Tu B’Shvat event

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One of the important missions of the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation is to help support Lone Soldiers in Israel. The Maccabi Foundation in conjunction with the Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin helps this sector of the population over the course of the season and last evening in honor of Tu B’Shvat a special celebratory event was held for the Lone Soldiers at their center in Beit Jabotinsky, Tel Aviv. Yellow & Blue player keeper Daniel Tenenbaum attended and spoke with the soldiers.

Pizza Prego, one of the Club’s sponsors were very involved in the special event and pampered the soldiers over the course of the evening.

Again this season, the Maccabi Foundation will be working with The Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin which was established by a group of former lone soldiers who were aware of the challenges and struggles faced by those lone soldiers serving in the IDF.
The Foundation Goals for the upcoming season include providing support for the lone soldiers while in the army through the Maccabi fans and sponsors and accompanying the lone soldiers following their service through mentoring programs, academic studies and employment opportunities.

Much more than football: The children’s team that touched the Maccabi players

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This past year saw the ILAN – Israel Association for Children with Disabilities create the “HaKatlanim” football team made up of physically challenged children who play the game we all love and fulfill a dream.

המפגש המרגש של מכבי וילדי עמותת אילן

A group of volunteers who work with the team and train the children were in touch with the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club Foundation and were invited to the PenguinPickUp Training Ground at Kiryat Shalom. The emotional visit began with a talk by Foundation Head Yuval Shaham and the coach of “HaKatlanim”. The children then met the players and received Maccabi kits as they held a joint training session with the Maccabi stars.

Foundation Director Yuval Shaham spoke about the program: “The Maccabi Foundation and the Club are happy to host this special team of children. They are role models for all of us and their ability to play the game that we all love despite their challenges gives us all a tremendous amount of inspiration.

The coach of “HaKatlanim” Ben Rahav said: “In the name of all of the children I want to thank the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club Foundation and on this exceptional event. The sensitivity and care shown by members of the Foundation including Yuval Shaham and Assaf Shemesh together with the players gave the children and their families great joy and motivation to continue to play football and to not feel inferior than any other child.”

After the training, Pizza Prego, one of the Club’s sponsors, provided lunch for the parents and children.

Maccabi Foundation hosts Ofek Shina at Club’s training session

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Although he is suffering from a serous illness, 11-year old Ofek Shina hasn’t given up his dream of playing football. Ofek plays goalkeeper near his home in Kfar Yona and hasn’t given up on his dream despite battling a bone marrow disease that has stunted his growth due to a lack of phosphorus in his body. Yesterday, Ofek who is an avid Maccabi supporter and a season ticket holder was hosted at the PenguinPickUp Training Ground at Kiryat Shalom together with his family and Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation Manager Yuval Shaham.


As part of the visit, Ofek was able to watch the training sessions and meet the players including Prddrah Rajkovic who gave him his shirt and keeper gloves. Following the session, Ofek spoke about the experience: “My dream is to one day play for Maccabi Tel Aviv and replace Rajkovic.”

Shaham added: “We are very proud and happy to host Ofek at the team’s training session and help straighten him. Ofek is a very special boy, and his desire to be the best that he can be despite his limitations give all of us inspiration. Ofek is a true Maccabist.”

Over the past six months, Ofek has been treated with a special drug which today becomes an officially licensed medication which is strengthening his bones and allowing him to continue his football career.

Dan Glezer Meets the Under-16 team

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Some of the most wonderful activities that take place during the year are programs that the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation and Youth Academy team up to take part in. These programs include intimate conversations with first team players, especially those who grew up through the ranks of the Yellow & Blue Youth Academy.

Last Thursday, the Under-16 side had the privilege to hear from Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Dan Glezer who spoke about his career to date including growing up in the Yellow & Blue Youth Academy. he discussed the challenges as a young footballer, the pride in putting on the Maccabi Tel Aviv kit while also giving out day to day tips in becoming better players as their young careers continue.

Tibi Talks Fair Play with Students

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Maccabi Tel Aviv central defender Eitan Tibi spoke at the Collège des Frères de Jaffa high school about violence and racism at Israeli sports facilities as part of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation programming. The students first watched a video about violence at sports facilities and then took part in a presentation about prevention and how to deal with these types of acts.

Tibi then spoke to the students about how violence and racism directly influences and affects the players and how he along with his teammates are working on preventing these acts and create a positive environment at the stadiums.

He also shared his experiences as a player with both Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Israel national team in terms of camaraderie and friendship between the players who are from the Arab and Jewish sectors and the unity that is created by sports.