Commemorating One Year since the October 7 Attack
Join us online for a special memorial event and explore our new exhibition UNBROKEN: Israeli Sports at Times of War, opening at Kfar Maccabiah. This unique exhibition will also be available globally to echo these significant parts of history all over the world
On October 15, 2024, Maccabi World Union will host a memorial ceremony to mark one year since the tragic events of October 7. The ceremony, which will be attended by MWU President Michael Siegal, MWU & M25 leadership, and bereaved families, will be broadcast live. We invite you to join us online and participate in this significant event honoring our beloved heroes who were taken from us too soon.
Click here to watch the livestream
Symbolically, on this day, MWU, World Jewish Congress and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund will launch a new and unique exhibition titled UNBROKEN: Israeli Sports at Times of War at the Jewish Sports Museum.
This one-of-a-kind exhibition delves into the stories of athletes and fans who were present at the time of the Hamas attacks and addresses the issue of anti-Semitism in international sports and the reaction of athletes and sports clubs to the situation. It also highlights the Jewish and Israeli drive to overcome adversity, as well as rehabilitation and the return of hope, as seen in everything from amateur athletics to the Maccabiah, to the Olympics and Paralympics.
The exhibition features personal items, multimedia displays and interviews, giving visitors a unique and intimate perspective of this critical moment in history. “At first glance, sports and war are opposites, but the State of Israel clung to sports during the difficult hours of the war, creating unforgettable moments of grace and pride,” said Osnat Zur, World Jewish Sports Museum director. “Sports are a unifying factor, fostering resilience, healing, and strength, as has been evident since October 7 across sports clubs in Israel. We are excited to share these powerful stories of resilience and spirit as part of our commitment to preserving Jewish sports history wherever it is,” Zur added.
The exhibition is divided into three chapters: The first part, “Sports on October 7,” tells the stories of several athletes and sports fans who were murdered or survived the attacks: cyclist Aya Meydan and her training partner Lior Weizmann who was tragically killed during his morning ride, the late footballer Lior Assoulin and the footballer Ben Benjamin who was injured during the massacre at the Nova party, and the Maccabi Haifa fan Inbar Haiman who was kidnapped by Hamas and murdered in captivity among the many stories.
Following Lior's tragic death, Aya Meidan has dedicated herself to competing in the upcoming Maccabiah. This commitment honors both her own journey and Lior's memory, demonstrating that our spirit of resilience remains unshakable. Aya, we are incredibly proud of you and eagerly anticipate your participation in the upcoming Games!
The second chapter focuses on the sports fans' responses to the war and their call for the return of all hostages, while the third chapter celebrates the remarkable achievements of Israeli athletes amidst the ongoing conflict.
Among the items on display: the bicycle of the late Lior Weizmann; the basketball shoes of Dani Abadiya with wishes for the return to health of popular actor/singer and injured IDF soldier Idan Amedi; the shoes of the late Lior Assoulin; the shirt of the late Inbar Haiman; and the gold medal won by swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko on Qatari soil amidst the boos of a hostile crowd.
Following the formal opening on October 15th, the exhibition will be open to the public until March 2025: on Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00, Thursdays from 16:00-20:00, and Fridays from 10:00 to 14:00. After this, it will embark on an international tour, starting in New York, to expose different Jewish communities and audiences around the world to these stories. Additionally, the exhibition will be available globally as a pop-up version, which can be easily downloaded and displayed within the Jewish diaspora to those interested in bringing the experience to their communities.
For more information on bringing the exhibition to your community, please get in touch with us at