Modern Maccabees: From Battlefield to Basketball Court (and Everything in Between)

Once upon a time (about 2,000 years ago), the Maccabees were fierce warriors who rose up against the Seleucid Empire, reclaimed the Holy Temple, and basically invented the original “don’t mess with us” energy. Fast-forward to today, and the Maccabees are back—but now they come armed with water bottles, gym bags, and matching tracksuits.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Modern Maccabees: Jewish athletes from all over the world preparing to battle it out… in ping pong tournaments, swim meets, and maybe a little synchronized dancing during opening ceremonies.

From Menorahs to Medals

Today’s Maccabees don’t carry swords—they carry protein bars. They don’t train in the desert—they train at CrossFit. But their mission? Still the same: honour, pride, and slightly sweaty triumph. These modern heroes are the ones who wake up at 5 a.m. for training, eat quinoa voluntarily, and can pronounce “plyometrics” without Googling it.

Maccabiah: The Holy Games (with more sunscreen)

The Maccabiah Games, aka “The Jewish Olympics,” gather tens of thousands of athletes from around the globe to compete in every sport imaginable—soccer, gymnastics, chess (yes, it’s a sport if you sweat a little), and even ice hockey. Because nothing says Jewish unity like sliding around on ice while shouting in five languages.

These games aren’t just about medals. They’re about Jewish pride, global connections, and, of course, who brought the best snacks. (Pro tip: the Israeli team always wins that category.)

Uniforms May Vary

Ancient Maccabees: leather sandals, tunics, probably a lot of sweating in armour.

Modern Maccabees: high-performance activewear, Bluetooth headphones, and compression socks in team colours...and a cool T-shirt I am Maccabi - Unisex soft T-shirt, Perfect Gift for Maccabees – Oy Vey

And instead of riding horses, they ride airport shuttles and electric scooters—but with the same determination and slightly less chafing.

Why We Love Them

They bring Jewish pride to the playing field. 

They remind the world that we don’t just debate politics—we also dunk basketballs.

They give us an excuse to cheer loudly, wave flags, and post selfies with captions like “My cousin’s friend’s dentist’s nephew is on the Team GB Maccabi swim squad!!”

Final Whistle

So while the Maccabees of old fought for religious freedom, the Maccabees of today fight for personal bests, international friendships, and maybe a TikTok dance challenge or two. One thing’s for sure: whether it’s on the battlefield or the badminton court, Maccabees show up, stand strong, and always bring the heat (and maybe a little hummus for halftime). 

Go Maccabees!