The Maccabiah 2025 Torch Lit Up IC 2025 BBYO!
After its official launch in Israel, the Maccabiah Torch made its way to North America's largest Jewish youth conference. Where will it travel next?
- 26 February, 2025
This year's International Convention of the BBYO youth movement held in Denver, Colorado, and designed to inspire the next generation of young leaders from all 60 countries, offered a vibrant mix of sports, heritage, and Jewish identity. One of the event's biggest highlights was the Maccabiah booth, where over 3,700 enthusiastic teens stopped by to learn how they could participate in the Maccabiah Games, engage with Maccabi representatives, ask questions, and take home official Maccabiah merchandise.
Maccabi USA alumni led professional ice hockey and futsal clinics, giving participants a taste of elite-level sports. It wasn’t just about skill-building - but about experiencing the Maccabi unique spirit, where every game is bigger than the score.
Among the standout moments of the conference was Chelsey Goldberg - one of the world’s top ice hockey players - proudly holding the Maccabiah Torch and sharing her inspiring story of excellence and perseverance. Chelsey has competed at the highest levels, including NCAA Division 1 for Northeastern University, the CWHL, the PWHPA, Team USA, and most recently, overseas in Sweden. She captained Team USA to a Silver medal at the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Israel and was honored as a Legend of the Maccabiah. This July, she will once again represent Team USA at the Maccabiah Games 2025.
This year’s conference featured two impactful exhibitions: "Unbroken", a powerful tribute to Israeli sports after October 7, featuring an interactive installation where visitors could weave flower wreaths in memory of the victims; The World Jewish Sports Museum exhibit, showcasing the inspiring stories of Jewish athletes who made history in Israel and beyond.
This is just the beginning! The partnership between BBYO, Maccabi USA, and Maccabi World Union proves that sports are more than just a game—they are a way of life, building a strong, united global Jewish community worldwide.
The Maccabiah Torch’s Global Journey
In light of the October 7 events and the challenges faced by Jewish communities worldwide, the Maccabiah Torch began its global journey earlier than ever. This year's torch was crafted in a factory specializing in prosthetic production—a testament to Maccabiah 2025’s commitment to connecting sports and rehabilitation while honoring the courage of Israel’s wounded soldiers.
Next stops? The annual Israel Parade in New York City in May, celebrating Israel’s Independence Day, and Maccabi Australia’s exciting 100th-anniversary festivities! In July, the torch will return to Israel for the official opening ceremony of Maccabiah 2025. Stay tuned for more updates as the journey continues!
Photos credit: Nati Hortig
