I greet Dr. Josef Schuster at the opening of the Maccabi 2023 Winter Games
Greeting,
and especially dear participants of the first Makkabi Winter Games Germany!
They connect to an event that started 90 years ago and then fell victim to the fate of history. The first major Jewish Winter Games were held in Poland in 1933, and other Winter Games also date back to 1936 in what was then Czechoslovakia – then nothing for a long time; until today.
They show that a spark, however faint it may still shine, can always kindle a new fire. This knowledge and ability is of indescribable value to Jewish life around the world and especially here in Germany. And I’m really proud that this long-standing initiative is now being followed up here in Ruhpolding. That’s why I was extremely happy to take on the sponsorship of the Maccabi Winter Games! Perhaps this fire will also extend to the international Maccabi movement.
Winter Games; this is a week of pure passion, competition, but of course also community. A combination of ideals that is so precious to our Jewish culture and can probably only be found in this composition in sport.
Thank you, dear Alon Meyer, and the entire Makkabi Germany team, represented by Alfi Goldenberg, for making this event possible. It’s a showpiece for Jewish life in Germany! I wish all participants every success in competitions, great experiences and long may this sense of community continue!
Makkabi Chai!
Berlin, January 2, 2023 / 9 Tewet 5783
