In a special event, more than 3,000 athletes from Israel and around the world, alongside residents, arrived in the Western Negev for a day of remembrance, sports, volunteering, and honoring the communities of the Gaza Envelope (Otef). The day began with gatherings of remembrance and heroism at the Nova music festival site. It continued with joint activities alongside local children, tours, volunteering, and community action in the towns of the Western Negev. The day concluded with a central gathering at Eshkol Park, featuring official Maccabiah races, a local produce market, and a performance by the band Teapacks alongside Yuval Rafael.
Last week (July 9), Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), Maccabiah 2026, and the Jewish Agency held this special day in the Western Negev under the banner: "Hope, More Than Ever." More than 3,000 participants arrived in the region, including male and female Maccabiah athletes from Israel and around the world, residents of the Gaza envelope and surrounding areas, families, members of the Maccabi Tzair youth movement, and guests of KKL-JNF and the Jewish Agency, coming together for a shared moment of remembrance, action, sports, and hope.
Eyal Ostrinsky, Chairman of KKL-JNF: "The connection between Diaspora Jewry and the rebuilding communities of the Gaza envelope is the most value-driven and natural bond. On October 7th and thereafter, Diaspora Jewry mobilized in an unprecedented way for the benefit of Israel as a whole, and the Gaza envelope in particular. Therefore, bringing Maccabiah 2026—a unique and premier Zionist event—and over 3,000 Jewish athletes to the envelope region serves to empower this vital connection. By exposing the athletes to the stories of remembrance, heritage, heroism, and rebirth, we strengthen Jewish peoplehood and their connection to Israel, standing tall and proud against those who sought to destroy us."
The day was designed to bring together Maccabiah participants from Israel and across the globe with the communities of the Western Negev, exposing them to the region's stories of remembrance, coping, resilience, and growth. Through tours, testimonies, community activities, volunteering, and sports, KKL-JNF and the Jewish Agency highlighted shared values of Zionism, mutual responsibility, and belief in the future of the Western Negev.
Photo: Adi Israel, KKL-JNF Photo Archive
Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog: "This day illustrates the profound meaning of mutual responsibility within the Jewish people. Thousands of young men and women from Israel and around the world came to the Western Negev not just to see and hear, but to be active partners—to remember, volunteer, embrace a community, and offer hope. The direct connection between Diaspora Jewry and the residents of the Gaza envelope is an expression of the Jewish people's strength. From pain grows commitment, and from commitment grows hope. Together, we will continue to strengthen the communities of the Western Negev and build a future of growth and resilience."
Assaf Goren, Chairman of the Maccabiah, explained: "During the day, we gave our Maccabiah guests arriving from abroad 'remembrance more than ever' alongside 'hope more than ever.' This is a defining chapter in the history of our State of Israel, and one cannot truly understand Israel without experiencing it. We allowed them to connect with the stories of coping and heroism in the Western Negev from October 7th to the present day, directly and intimately, through the incredible local community that lives here."
The participants began the first part of the day at the Nova festival site in KKL-JNF’s Re'im Recreation Area. There, Maccabiah athletes from around the world learned about the history of the site, paid tribute to the memory of those murdered and fallen, and took part in a remembrance panel.
The panel featured testimonies and stories from:
- Aviva and Keith Siegel, returned hostages.
- Adva Rabinowitz, founder of the "Darkei Noam" association and mother of the late Noam Abramowitz. Noam fell during the October 7th attack at the Nahal Oz base. In the wake of the tragedy, Adva established the association to commemorate her daughter's path and values through educational initiatives.
- Oz Davidian, a civilian savior and hero. During the terror attack on the Nova festival, Davidian made dozens of trips into the active combat zone under fire, risking his life to rescue many young people.
Photo: George Nobominsky, KKL-JNF Photo Archive
During the event, Keith Siegel shared: "Throughout my entire time in captivity, I held onto hope. There were moments when I thought death was near, but I thought about my family, about the Jewish people, and about our strength to overcome, and I drew strength from that. When I heard my family on the radio and saw them on television, it gave me hope. I was so worried, and the hope came from them. I promised myself that I must survive to return to my family. Captivity is daily suffering – hunger, thirst, violence, fear, and absolute uncertainty – but the concern for my family reinforced my promise to survive, to return home, and to put an end to their suffering as well."
Volunteering, Community, and Support for Local Businesses
With the support of the Jewish Agency, Maccabiah youth participated in a joint sports day and bicycle ride alongside children from summer camps in the regional councils of Hof Ashkelon, Sha'ar HaNegev, Eshkol, and Sderot.
Furthermore, participants met with the local community of the Western Negev and took an active, hands-on volunteer role in community efforts, including planting, painting, cleanup, and more. Later, they went on tours that introduced them to the region's stories and the ongoing processes of economic rehabilitation and renewal. They met with small and medium-sized businesses supported by the Jewish Agency in Western Negev communities, including Netiv HaAsara, Mefalsim, Nahal Oz, and Nir Oz.
Photo: Adi Israel, KKL-JNF Photo Archive
The second half of the day, under the message "Hope, More Than Ever," took place in the afternoon at HaBesor National Park (KKL-JNF's Eshkol Park). After a day of touring, meeting, and hands-on activities, all participants and local residents gathered in a spacious community compound that bridged nature, culture, sports, and the local economy.
A joint ride of 400 cyclists, guided by KKL-JNF under the banner "Riding Together, Learning Together," took place during the day. The participating riders included Maccabiah athletes and youth from across Israel and the Western Negev who are enrolled in KKL-JNF educational programs, such as the "Note'im Yahad" (Planting Together) program for youth-at-risk, the KKL-JNF Houses for Excellence, and others.
Throughout the afternoon, sports and adventure zones operated in Eshkol Park, featuring ninja courses, climbing walls, a ropes course, and trampolines. Alongside these was a local produce market from the Gaza envelope showcasing handicrafts, art, jewelry, and local culinary delights, aimed at supporting local creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. KKL-JNF also set up an experiential exhibition titled "KKL-JNF: Past and Present," as well as a popular navigation course that connected participants to the organization’s values, the landscape, and the local history.
As part of the official sports events of the Maccabiah, the park hosted:
- An individual time-trial bicycle race.
- A 1.6 km (one-mile) race.
- A festive 800-meter run for the children of the Western Negev, dedicated to the memory of the late Master Sergeant (Res.) Daniel Allouche. The children's run was designed to give local youth an experience of resilience, strength, and victory through sports.
The day concluded with a winners' ceremony and the presentation of medals to the victors of the official Maccabiah competitions. Following this, residents of the Gaza envelope took the stage to share the voice, spirit, and local story of the Western Negev. The evening wrapped up with an uplifting performance by the band Teapacks and Yuval Rafael.