About
Maccabi Queensland connects our Jewish Community
Nothing beats Queensland! From beautiful beaches and stunning hinterland, the background of a great Maccabi state.
Maccabi Queensland’s community is widely spread across the South-East Queensland region, with activities mainly scheduled in locations across Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
With over 90 years of Maccabi in Queensland, the history of sporting opportunities and connection provided for the Jewish Community has been extensive. From individuals participating in the Maccabiah games to teams attending Senior Carnivals, there has been the presence and foundation of Maccabi amongst the Queensland Jewish Community.
Maccabi Queensland offers a variety of events, networking and pathway opportunities to both competitive athletes and the wider community. The recent inclusion of Maccabi Life is being rolled out across various locations throughout South-East Queensland as we look to return to in-person events again post COVID.
The key highlight of the Queensland event calendar each year is the National Junior Carnival. This event, targeted towards youth aged 12-15 years old, provides them with the opportunity to meet and develop life-long friendships with interstate families during a week-long sporting and social event. Carnival is a great event that due to COVID we have felt the lack of in Queensland for the past few years, we look forward to sending a team to the 2023 Junior Carnival! To stay updated and register your interest email: teamqld@maccabi.com.au
MAI VISION
To be the organisation of first choice for the Australian Jewish Community to participate in Sport and Wellbeing activities.
OUR MISSION
To engage and strengthen the Australian Jewish community by
- Developing and promoting the opportunity for all members to share and embrace their Jewish identity through sport & wellbeing activities
- Encouraging participation in sport through annual carnivals and competitive sporting events at the state, national and international level.
- Engaging a wider demographic in activities centered on Health and Wellbeing with the purpose of increasing participation, growing membership and improving the health outcomes for the community.
- Working actively to support programs that embody the Maccabi ideals of Jewish continuity, support for the state of Israel and excellence in sport.
- Creating a sustainable and prosperous financial position for Maccabi across Australia that enables the organization to support the objectives and ambitions of the state bodies and clubs.
- To be forward focused and embracing of opportunities which ensure the longevity of Maccabi across the country
OUR VALUES
Respect
This value incorporates respect for oneself, one’s body, for others, for the rules and regulations, for sport and the environment. Related to sport, respect stands for fair play, to win with humility, for the fight against discrimination and any other unethical behaviour. Treat others as you wish to be treated.
Teamwork
We recognise that success and excellence can only be achieved and sustained by a deep commitment to working as a team and the practice of focusing on collective rather than individual effort and rewards. We value inclusiveness through a commitment to celebrating diversity, a collaborative spirit and creating an environment that is emotionally, physically and psychologically safe for all.
Community
We act consciously to inspire the trust of everyone whose lives we touch by modeling the highest standards of honesty and integrity. We carry our Jewishness with pride and behave in ways that make the Jewish community proud.
Volunteerism
We remain accountable to our members and value the work of the volunteers who define our organisation. We will promote open and transparent management processes and always engage in authentic consultation with our stakeholders.
Maccabi State
To find out more information on events and activities available in Maccabi Queensland contact us today.
Maccabi Queensalnd, together with our member states, exist to promote Jewish identity and continuity – connecting our Jewish community through sport and wellbeing
Maccabi Queensland is part of the largest Jewish grassroots organisation in Australia, with a history that spans almost a century, and thousands of members who connect every year through our clubs and programs.
Maccabi symbolises community, friendship, connection and competitive spirit. Just as sport maintains an important role in society, Maccabi has and will continue to play an intrinsic part of the fabric of the Australian Jewish community.
We provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to not only get active, but also form lifelong friendships.
Maccabi Australia have a clear and bold Vision for Sport, active participation and wellbeing in the community. Through our National club structure and the Maccabi Life program we provide more reasons and options for the broader community to engage in a healthy lifestyle.
A sustainable future for Maccabi has been created by
- Using Sport to promote social inclusion and cohesion
- Promoting exercise and regular activity as a positive benefit to both physical and mental wellbeing.
- Creating and supporting programs that will inspire the next generation
- Advocating and leading the way on relevant health and wellbeing matters
Our History
In the 1800’s sport was organised for a small group of Jews living in Australia. By 1912 there were 6 sporting organisations in Sydney.
In 1924, The Sydney Judaean Amateur Athletic Association (SJAA) wrote to Rabbi Israel Brodie in Melbourne asking if there was any interest in an interstate cricket match. The Judaean league of Victoria replied and the result was a cricket match between the two states in Melbourne in December 1924.
1925 saw the beginning of the annual sporting carnivals. The first was held in Sydney between New South Wales and Victoria in 4 sports for men: cricket, athletics, swimming and tennis. Women competed in the 1928/29 carnival for the first time. This carnival was held in Melbourne.
After the 9th carnival in Melbourne held in 1934 the Australian Judaean Sports Council (AJSC) was established to control Jewish sport in Australia and be responsible for the annual carnivals. It wasn’t until 1954 when it was decided that the seat of office of the Council would alternate on a 3 year basis between Melbourne and Sydney. The late Basil Isaacs became the first President.
In 1960 the name of the organisation was changed to Australian Maccabi Council and then again in 1974 to Australian Maccabi Federation.
In 1991 the name was changed to Maccabi Australia Inc. (MAI). In 2004, The Maccabi Australia constitution was changed. In 2007, a Board of Governors was formed and a Grievance Committee as well as a governance process was established.
Australia first competed at the 3rd Maccabiah Games in Israel in 1950 with one tennis player, Elias Honig. Since then, the participation at the Games has increased significantly and has hit a peak of 560 competitors in 2017. The most significant moment in Maccabi Australia’s history was the collapse of the bridge over the Yarkon River at the opening Ceremony of the Maccabiah Games in 1997. The collapse resulted in death of four Australian competitors and injury to numerous others.
The first Maccabi Australia Games (MAGS) was held in Canberra in 2004 and the first Maccabi Australia International Games (MAIGS) was held in Sydney 2006 with a large number of overseas countries competing. An Australian team competed at the Pan American Maccabi Games for the first time in 1991 in Uruguay and have sent a team to 7 Pan Am Games the most recent held in Mexico 2019. We have also sent teams to the European Games starting in 1983 and have been at another 4 since then, the last one in Budapest in 2019. Also, teams have participated in JCC/ Maccabi USA youth games
The 38th Junior carnival was held in Perth Western Australia and the 39th Carnival will be remembered as the @home Carnival impacted by the COVID-19 impact on travel.
Today , Maccabi Australia has 5 affiliated state bodies across the country – including New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. Maccabi Australia is a member of the Maccabi World Union, the Zionist Federation of Australia, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Australian Sports Foundation.
The Maccabi QLD Board
Maccabi Queensland’s Board consists of a President, and a committee of people focused on Junior Carnival. Plans are in place to expand the offer to include Maccabi Life activities.
The President is actively looking for new members and those who wish to volunteer to manage Maccabi Life activities. Interested! contact Bronte – brontetrieger@hotmail.com
Bronte Trieger
President
Growing up in the Brisbane Jewish Community, I started my Maccabi journey by participating in a Junior Carnival held in Melbourne. I was in awe of the fact that over 1,000 Jews from across the country came together to play sports and have fun!…
Growing up in the Brisbane Jewish Community, I started my Maccabi journey by participating in a Junior Carnival held in Melbourne. I was in awe of the fact that over 1,000 Jews from across the country came together to play sports and have fun! Needless to say, that was not my last Carnival. I continued to attend them as a participant and later on, as a Youth Leader for the Queensland team. It was through this love of Carnival and Maccabi that I was offered the opportunity to sit on the National Leadership Committee and pioneering the position of ‘Youth Leader Coordinator’ in 2017. I have continued along the leadership pathway provided by Maccabi, leading me to my current position as President for Queensland.
My passion for sport and leading an active lifestyle is what continues to drive my journey with Maccabi. I love to help share and create opportunities where these activities can bring a community together. From mixed netball teams to open water swim sessions, Maccabi Queensland is always looking to share your passion for sport and wellness (and so am I).
Please, reach out and say hello! I’d love to hear from you 🙂
brontetrieger@hotmail.com
Michelle Rebibou
Junior Carnival Manager
queensland@maccabi.com.au
queensland@maccabi.com.au
Celene Descy
Junior Carnival
descy@bigpond.com
descy@bigpond.com
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