Thank You, Mark Klapish – A Farewell to Our Esteemed Hall of Fame Chair

Dear Maccabi Victoria Community and Hall of Fame Members,

We hope this message finds you well.

We would like to inform you that our fantastic Hall of Fame Chair, Mark Klapish, has made the decision to step down from his position.

While we are sad to see him go, we couldn’t let this moment pass without sending a huge THANK YOU for all the incredible work he’s done.

Mark has been the heartbeat of the Hall of Fame, and we’re incredibly grateful for everything he’s done to keep things running smoothly (and often with a good dose of humour too!).

Mark is a very special Maccabi person. He has been involved with Maccabi Victoria since 1978, participating in swimming, athletics, football, and lawn bowls. He is widely regarded as a driving force behind the revival of the Maccabi Junior Carnival, ensuring its continued success and impact on young athletes. His passion for fostering Jewish sport and community spirit has been at the core of his work.

Over the years, Mark has been duly recognised for his dedication—receiving the Lenny Bogatin Award in 2015 for his role in Maccabi Victoria’s 90th anniversary celebrations, being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, and being made a Life Member of Maccabi Victoria in 2021—an honour reserved for those who have made a lasting impact on the organisation and its people.

Under Mark’s guidance, the Hall of Fame has seen significant growth and success, and his contributions will continue to resonate with us moving forward.

Please join us in thanking him for his outstanding service, and we’ll keep you all posted about what’s next and the exciting changes ahead. If you have any questions or want to share your thanks, feel free to reach out at enquiries.vic@maccabi.com.au

__________________________________________________

Message from HOF Chairperson, Mark Klapish: 

It is with mixed emotions that I formally tender my resignation as Chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee. 

My involvement with Maccabi Victoria has been a significant part of my life for over 50 years, beginning with my participation in Swimming, Athletics, Football and later Lawn Bowls I was lucky to be involved with the very first Junior Carnival and continuing on with the next 24. I also had involvement in Senior Carnivals, serving on the Maccabi Victoria board, numerous committees and running sports camps and holiday programs. Chairman of the Friends of Maccabi and so much more. It has been an extraordinary journey, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have had to contribute to such an impactful and inspiring organisation.

After serving as Deputy Chair of the Hall of Fame for 3 years, I was honoured to step into the role of Chairman in 2017. These past years have been filled with meaningful work and collaboration, but I feel the time has come for me to step down and make space for new leadership and fresh perspectives.

While I am resigning from this position, I remain committed to Maccabi Victoria and its mission. Should the need arise, I would be more than happy to assist or support the organisation in any capacity required.

It has been a privilege to be a part of this remarkable organisation, which stands as a cornerstone of the Victorian Jewish community. I leave my role with a deep sense of pride and gratitude for all that Maccabi Victoria represents and accomplishes.

Thank you for the trust, collaboration, and friendships that have made this experience so meaningful. I look forward to witnessing the continued success of Maccabi Victoria in the years ahead.

Maccabi Greetings

Mark Klapish