Together in Purple

Earlier this month, Maccabi House at Kfar Maccabiah - the official headquarters of MWU and the Maccabiah - was illuminated in purple, the color representing the global disability community. Continuing an important tradition, this gesture marked the International Day for Equal Rights for People with Disabilities, reflecting our core values and our deep commitment to inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunity - on the playing field and beyond.

As part of this commitment, the Maccabiah Games - the world's second-largest sporting event and the Jewish Olympics - proudly include Paralympic competitions as an integral part of the Games, the true Maccabi spirit in action. 

This year, the message carried even more profound meaning. Since October 7, nearly 100,000 Israelis - soldiers and civilians - have been recognized as disabled veterans or victims of hostile acts, many coping with invisible injuries. They join the 1.6 million Israelis already living with disabilities among us.

Throughout the war, Kfar Maccabiah became a place of refuge for hundreds of massacre survivors, evacuees, and IDF soldiers. Today, we continue to welcome the released hostages and their families, offering a safe, warm, and supportive environment as they rebuild their lives. 

On December 3, as every year, MWU – together with hundreds of municipalities, public institutions, hospitals, universities, and cultural and commercial venues across Israel - lit up in purple, sending a clear and powerful message: "You are not invisible. You are not alone. We stand with you".