Yom HaShoa – Holocaust Remembrance Day will be marked this evening across the country and around the world. There are many heartbreaking, moving and inspiring stories that capture one of the horrific events that mankind has ever experienced in order to perpetuate the memory of the Holocaust so that we will “Never Forget”. One of those stories belongs to “Saba” Dov Landau who survived the horrors of the Holocaust before arriving in Israel after World War II. In the new State of Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv created a feeling of hope, belonging and happiness as “Saba” Dov embarked on his new life.

“Saba” Dov was born in 1928 in the town of Brzesko, Poland just 50 kilometers east of Kraków and 25 km west of Tarnów. In September of 1939, the Nazis entered the town and burned down the synagogue which was opposite to his home in the middle of the town square. The whole village cried in horror and disbelief.

Living in the Ghetto of Brzesko up until the age of 13, “Saba” Dov was sent to the Bochnia Ghetto which was also a labor camp where he pressed straw for the German’s horses to eat. When the Ghetto was liquidated he moved with his father to another camp called Szebnie where he lived for another 3 months until the 4,000 people in the camp were taken to Aushwitz-Birkenau. Once in Aushwitz, the Nazis made a selection of who would be able to work and who would go to the crematorium.

After a month and a half, Dov together with his father went to work in the Jaslo-Rzeszow coal mines. However, after six months of hard labor his father fell ill, went to the hospital and was then sent to his death at the crematoriums in Aushwitz, never to return. On January 17, 1945 “Saba” Dov began the “Death March” as the allied troops approached the concentration camp.

After making it through the March, the Nazis moved the survivors to move to the Buchenwald camp where he took part in his second “Death March” on April 7, 1945. Just a few days later after surviving the “Death March” yet again, the American troops liberated Buchenwald where he remained for a number of months until moving to the land of Israel.

Once in Israel, “Saba” Dov was able to finish high school, attend Yeshiva and also was part of Hagana where he fought in Gush Etzion and Jerusalem. On May 15, 1948 when the State of Israel was declared, he was captured and sent to a Jordanian prison where he remained for 11 months until he was freed.

“Saba” Dov moved to Tel Aviv where he was married and began rebuilding his family, a family in which he lost his parents, grandparents, brothers and over 50 other family members. Today his flourishing family numbers over 80 people.

Maccabi Tel Aviv was an integral part of how “Saba” Dov integrated into Israeli society after the War of Independence. Through the club, he was able bond with many looking for a sense of belonging that was so important in those days, helping him become a part of the new Israeli society. The love for sport and football made life a bit better and a little more joyful after the Holocaust and the many horrors he had gone through. In fact, to this day, even at the age of 90, “Saba” Dov is an ardent supporter and fan of the Yellow & Blue as his love for Maccabi is unequivocal.

Last year, “Saba” Dov came full circle as he helped guide the Israeli youth of today when he returned to Poland and visited some of the sites of his childhood, along with the concentration camps and other locations across the country as he gave over stories from the life that he had experienced.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation together with Chinuch L’Psagot – Educating for Excellence hosted a group of former German Bundesliga footballers, sportsmen, athletes and family members who are visiting Israel as part of a special Yom HaShoa – Holocaust Remembrance Day program. One of the guests was Peter Neuer the father of German National Team and Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer who although was not present left his mark with the children.

The group of over 50 arrived at the Chinch L’Psagot Center in Gilo, Jerusalem where they experienced a special presentation given by Maccabi Foundation Head Josh Halickman about the History of Maccabi Tel Aviv and its connection with the Holocaust. The story of how Maccabi star Yosele Merimovitch asked management during World War II to change the white to yellow on the club’s shirt to stand in solidarity with those in the Holocaust due to the Yellow Star was explained to the participants who were very moved by the program.

From the darkness of the Holocaust to the light of the bright future, the group then went to the courtyard where they played football together with the Chinuch L’Psagot students. They also exchanged stories with the children and spoke about the special trip to Israel that they are on where they are experiencing the flourishing Jewish Nation first hand that came out of the ashes of the Shoa.

The star of the activity was no doubt Peter Neuer who handed out postcards and photos to the kids that Manuel Neuer had signed specifically for them. Peter also made a special presentation of a pair of autographed match worn gloves by the World Cup winner in Manuel’s name to Shani Merlin, the Gilo Center Director.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation held a special event with Chinuch L’Psagot, Educating for Excellence at the Kiryat Shalom Training Facility. Over 150 children between the ages of 7-12 from the three centers (Kiryat Shalom, Ramle, Netanya) that the Foundation holds weekly football training sessions at, took part in the activities that stressed education and values in sportsmanship, courage and determination. The activity began with the children meeting some of the club’s players, Eli Dasa, Eitan Tibi, Ofir Davidzada and Dor Peretz. A football tournament and kite making workshop followed and afterwards the participants had the opportunity to see the stars in action as Maccabi Tel Aviv played Maccabi Petah Tikva in a friendly. The event culminated with lunch provided by Pizza Prego.

The football tournament was the highlight of the school year which featured Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation weekly football training sessions based on values and education as the children were able to show their skills on the synthetic pitch at Kiryat Shalom.

Chinuch L’Psagot, Educating for Excellence strives to strengthen the Israeli society by reducing social gaps and creating equal opportunities for children with potential for excellence who live in the country’s social and geographic periphery. The organization has 41 branches around the country.

It’s important to note that the programs with Chinuch L’Psagot are part of the #morethanfootball campaign, an initiative by the European Football for Development Network (EFDN) in partnership with ECA and the UEFA Foundation for Children. The main goal of the #Morethanfootball Action Weeks is to promote and celebrate the social impact of European professional football on society, by highlighting the CSR activities of clubs and other stakeholders in the game.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club Foundation and Etgarim non-profit organization are delighted to announce their partnership to promote public awareness of sports for people with disabilities through the mobilization of the Maccabi Tel Aviv family. As part of the cooperation, the club – the players, professional staff and employees – will extensively take part in Etgarim activities, which have proven to be an effective tool for personal empowerment and social integration.

Ben Mansford, Maccabi Tel Aviv FC CEO, said: “Partnering with Etgarim is a great honor and representative of our ambition as a club. Maccabi has the privilege to help people with disabilities from across the country and give them the opportunity to change their lives through challenge sports. Everyone connected to the club can help provide them with hope as they integrate productively into society as their determination and courage will hearten us all. We call on all Maccabi Tel Aviv fans to come together and contribute to the best of their abilities towards this partnership.”

Josh Halickman, Head of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club Foundation praised the collaboration: “Etgarim means “challenges” in Hebrew and aligns itself perfectly with one of the Foundation’s main goals-the promotion of social activities and encouraging our fans to join our efforts. We’re thrilled to raise public awareness about the wonderful programs that Etgarim does which helps ensure that this segment of the population has the opportunity to be recognized for their special abilities and talents through sports.”

Etgarim CEO Avner Balkany said: “It is a great honor for us to be partners with the oldest, largest and the most decorated football club in Israel. Beyond Maccabi’s achievements on the pitch, what separates them from others is their involvement and their efforts in the community as they help society as a whole. I’m certain that this partnership will warm the hearts of our members, who break down barriers every day and prove that nothing will stand in their way.”

Maccabi players will visit and take part in Etgarim’s various activities including: cycling, running, sailing, kayaking, climbing and more. Representatives from the club will also take part in the organization’s events, the first of which is the annual “Wheels of Hope” event, which has been held for 16 years in the Jezreel Valley, attended by thousands of cyclists and families.

Beginning with the upcoming league match against Hapoel Raanana, an Etgarim member will be awarded the Maccabi Foundation Medallion of Honor by one of Maccabi Tel Aviv players at every home game. In addition, there will be inspirational lectures and presentations by the Etgarim members given to the players on the First Team as well as the Youth Department clubs.

Details about how to take part in the programs will be posted on the Club’s Official Media platforms.

About Etgarim:
Etgarim, has been active for over 20 years and is a non-profit organization dedicated to the empowerment and social integration and rehabilitation of people with disabilities through sports. Activities include: Scuba diving, running, walking and hiking, cycling, sailing, rock climbing and abseiling, canoeing, water skiing and more. Over the years, the organization has nurtured the belief in the ability of its members to break boundaries, overcome obstacles, realize and lead themselves to a life full of hope and satisfaction and thereby change the reality of their lives. Today over 5,000 youth and 1,000 adults take part in Etgarim programs.

About Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club Foundation:
The Foundation’s mission is to help make an impact on the larger Israeli society using the positive energy of football to affect the lives of those in our community. With the largest fan base in the country, our vision is to make each and every supporter an active player and ambassador of the Foundation, thereby increasing our impact across the nation.