Maccabi World Union Honours Maccabi Australia Legends

Maccabi Australia is thrilled to announce that both Tom Goldman OAM and Harry Procel, both stalwarts of Maccabi Australia will be awarded with Maccabi World Union’s highest honour, a Yakir Maccabi Award.

The Yakir Maccabi Award recognises exceptional effort by Maccabi members in international service within the World Union framework, in order to show the Movement’s appreciation and to honor the recipients. Recipients must be aged 60 or above at the time of the presentation which will be in July 2013 during the 19th Maccabiah.

A maximum of twelve (12) awards are presented every four (4) years. In July 2013, there will be eleven (11) inductees. There were 28 nominations this year from around the Maccabi globe, so it is a testament to the resumes and ultimately the commitment of both Tom and Harry that for the first time two Australians will be accepted into this prestigious group in the one year.

Previous Australian recipients are Joe Rosen z”l, Lou Rose MBE z”l, Louis Platus OAM and Bernie Gold OAM.

Maccabi Australia President, Lisa Borowick is “thrilled to have both Harry and Tom recognized for the 2013 Yakir Maccabi Awards. To have two Australian’s admitted in the one year is unprecedented and reflects solely on their commitment to this worldwide organisation that works tirelessly to connect Jewish people from around the world with each other and with Israel. On behalf on the Board of Maccabi Australia and our Member States, we wholeheartedly wish both Tom and Harry Mazal Tov and Kol HaChavod.”

Tom Goldman’s involvement with Maccabi World Union commenced in 1972, almost 40 years ago. Since that time he has held many positions that have made him a significant contributor to the Maccabi movement. Of particular note is his active and consistent involvement since 1990 in roles relating to the Maccabiah and MWU.

Tom has been an inspirational and outstanding leader of our organisation and made significant contributions to our international efforts. He has led from the front and has always been willing to take an active role, whether for Maccabi Australia or for Maccabi World Union for the betterment of our combined efforts.

Over the years Tom has held numerous positions of leadership and management, but he also worked tirelessly in the background, in an unofficial and sometimes unrecognised capacity, offering support and guidance in those areas for which he holds greatest knowledge.

As a leader of Maccabi Australia, Tom has forged a path of great relationships underpinned by his strong work ethic, loyalty and ‘can do’ attitude.

Tom is an exceptional advocate and leader of Maccabi both within Australia and internationally and for this he has been acknowledged with the Yakir Maccabi Award.

In recognizing Harry Procel as a Yakir recipient, it first had to be confirmed that he is indeed 60 years of age. Once it was confirmed, Harry’s resume speaks for itself in terms of his commitment and passion to this organisation.

Harry’s commitment to the worldwide Maccabi movement is unwavering. His long history with the organisation is testament to his passion for community involvement and even more so to sport. The combination of these two elements makes him an enormous asset to Maccabi, having taken an active role at MWU since 1995.

Since joining the Athletics Club in Melbourne, Victoria in 1967 he has forged his path to leadership at the club, state, national and ultimately the international level. He has been instrumental in the success and growth of Australia’s participation in International Games, most specifically the Maccabiah, Pan American Games, European Maccabi Games and JCC Maccabi Games.

He has personally worked to build the capacity of other member countries in our region – most specifically New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong, who now participate on a regular basis at Maccabi Australia’s Junior Carnivals and have represented their countries at the Maccabi Australia International Games.

With Harry’s current involvement as Head of Delegation for the Australian team for the 19th Maccabiah Games, this will be his 8th Maccabiah, and we wish him the best of luck in bringing together the strongest Australian Delegation possible.

As only the 6th Life Member of Maccabi Australia, his reputation is second to none with regards to his passion, his integrity and his commitment. For this reason, he too has been recognized with this Yakir Maccabi Award.