Representing Brazil, Natalie and her father, Daniel Olszewer, each competed in their respective sports at
the 22nd Maccabiah Games, sharing an unforgettable experience in Israel together.
A Shared Maccabiah Journey: A Father and
Daughter Reflect
One of the unique stories to come out of the 2026 Maccabiah is that of Daniel and Natalie Olszewer. A father and daughter who both represented Brazil in different sports and experienced the Games together. In this special reflection, they share their journey in their own words, offering two perspectives on what it meant to compete, connect with Israel, and celebrate the Maccabiah spirit as a family.
Daniel & Natalie Olszewer
Brazil
My name is Daniel Olszewer. I am 44 years old, married to Patricia, and the father of Davi and Natalie. I have a degree in Dentistry and have always enjoyed playing soccer. Besides being a passion of mine, playing soccer is my time to relax and spend time with my friends.
I am Natalie Olszewer, I am 14 years old and a student at Beit Yacov School. I have been practicing artistic gymnastics since I was eight years old. We are a family of athletes, and the Maccabean spirit is very much alive in our home.
This Maccabiah was special simply because we were in Israel, together with Jews from all over the world, celebrating life. The competition itself was just one moment and one reason for being there, but arriving in Israel was truly remarkable and emotional, with a deep feeling of being at home. This Maccabiah was also special because, in addition to the Games, we took part in a visit organized by the Brazilian Maccabi Confederation (CBM) to the Nova site, where we witnessed the evidence of the brutality of October 7.
For the Olszewer’s “Being together in Israel meant more than ever.”
Being together in Israel meant more than ever
Our preparation for the games began in 2024, believing that we would compete in the Maccabiah in 2025. However, the Games were canceled and postponed to 2026, which led some participants to withdraw and required a great deal of work to keep the teams together.
Instead of being paralyzed by this new horror of a reality for us all. I had no choice but to ‘growth hack’ it in a million different ways.
For me, Daniel, I have already had the pleasure of playing in four World Maccabiah Games, all of them in soccer. This one, however, was unique. Being together in Israel meant more than ever, perfectly reflecting the motto of the 2026 Maccabiah—"More Than Ever"—which was engraved on every medal.
For me, Natalie, this was my first World Maccabiah. In addition to having the honor of representing my country, I formed friendships with other participants and experienced firsthand the strength of our people. It showed me that we are all winners simply for being together in Israel.
Throughout the competition, we already felt victorious, but when the referee blows the whistle, everyone wants to win.
It is worth highlighting that our +35 soccer team had the honor of playing against an Israeli team made up of former professional players, including Benayoun, who played for Liverpool and Arsenal, and Ben Haim, who played for Chelsea. But the most memorable experience was playing against an Israeli team formed in memory of a young man who was murdered on October 7. The players were survivors, soldiers, or friends of survivors. The emotion of hearing their stories was far greater than anything that happened during the match itself.
The artistic gymnastics competition was held at a very high level. Competing in a huge arena, with so many people cheering from the stands, was an incredibly special experience. Representing Brazil and bringing home a medal was deeply rewarding.
We returned home feeling even more connected to Israel. We understand that it is our home. We reunited with friends from previous editions of the Games and made new friends as well. The strength of our people is incredible and shows how our unity transcends every kind of border.
Being part of a Maccabiah is magical, and we invite everyone who dreams of being in Israel and competing in a Maccabiah to come and experience this magic.
Photos Courtesy of Macabi Brasil and Daniel & Natalie Olszewer.
A Journey Beyond Football
Rudy Simouni
Coach, Maccabi France
I had the immense pride of coaching the Maccabi France U17 football team during these Maccabiah Games in Israel.
This experience will remain an unforgettable one for our entire delegation. Beyond the sporting results, which were challenging at times, we lived through an exceptional human, athletic, and identity-building adventure.
These Maccabiah Games represented the culmination of over two years of preparation. After the cancellation and postponement of the games in 2025, and the fear of another cancellation this year, finally stepping onto Israeli football pitches wearing the colours of France carried a very special meaning.
The emotion was even stronger because these were the first Maccabiah Games held in Israel since the tragic events of October 7. The opening ceremony, worthy of the Olympic Games, will remain engraved in our memories. Seeing delegations from all over the world march together, united by sport and shared values, was a moment of extraordinary intensity.
Members of France’s football team at the Maccabi Games display custom T-shirts honouring Dan Elkayam, a talented footballer who previously represented France at the Maccabiah and was tragically killed in the Bondi terror attack.
Throughout our stay, we were fortunate to be supported by an exceptional liaison officer. Always available, attentive, and caring, he made our daily lives easier and looked after our team in a truly remarkable way.
Our players, aged 15 and 16, returned home with far more than sporting memories. They formed very strong bonds with people they would probably never have met otherwise. They became friends with young people from Mexico, Druze communities, Spain, and Brazil, discovering different cultures through a shared passion and common values.
They learned what it means to represent their country, their team, and Maccabi France with pride.
These Maccabiah Games reminded us that sport is not simply about winning or losing, it is a powerful way to teach, unite people, and create memories that last a lifetime.
Photos courtesy of Maccabi France.
Making Waves at the Maccabiah
Alberto Tawil
Mexico
Competing in the Maccabiah Games is something many Jewish athletes around the world look forward to, and I was proud to have the opportunity to represent Mexico as a swimmer. It was one of the most demanding competitions I have ever taken part in—not only because of the high level of competition, but because of everything it took to get there.
For months, we trained eight or nine times a week, swimming between 40 and 60 kilometres. Preparing at that level required discipline, commitment and sacrifice. I had to put many things aside to stay focused while also taking care of myself, not only physically, but mentally as well. It was a lot of hard work, but we knew it was the only way to be ready for what awaited us.
After months of training and anticipation, we arrived in Israel, the experience was incredible. Even before the competition started, you could already feel the excitement and the nerves. We spent the first few days adjusting to the time difference, getting familiar with the facilities, and making sure we were fully prepared.
The competition included three days of racing spread across four sessions, with both morning and afternoon events. Overall, Team Mexico performed very well. We achieved the times we were aiming for, although the swimmers from Israel and the United States were incredibly strong.
By the end of the first day, Gabriel Feldman and I won a bronze medal in a relay event. That result gave us a huge boost of confidence and motivation for the rest of the competition.
The second day was physically demanding as fatigue started to build, but we pushed through it. Gabriel and I earned three more relay medals together: one silver and two bronze. The races were extremely close, and it felt great to know we were competing at the same level as some of the best swimmers there.
Alberto training ahead of the Maccabiah Games “We finished feeling proud of our effort and of what we accomplished together as a team.” Photo courtesy of Centro Deportivo Israelita – CDI
The final day was the toughest for me. I had to swim the 200-meter butterfly, one of the most demanding events, and competed in two relay races. We won another bronze medal in one of them. For the other, our coach decided to enter a relay made up entirely of Mexican swimmers: Alan Haras, Alan Dabbah, Gabriel Feldman, and me. Gabriel and I had to move up to an older age category to make it possible. Even though we didn't win a medal in that race, we finished feeling proud of our effort and of what we accomplished together as a team.
More than the medals, the Maccabiah Games gave me an experience I will never forget. Representing Mexico, meeting Jewish athletes from so many different countries, and sharing every practice and every race with my teammates made all the sacrifices worthwhile. It is an experience that has shaped me not only as an athlete, but also as a person.
Photo of Alberto Tawil courtesy of Centro Deportivo Israelita – CDI
Finding Belonging Through the Maccabiah
Yael Rohde
Germany
Competitive swimming has been part of my life for almost ten of my 18 years. Based in Delmenhorst, Germany, I specialize in butterfly and individual medley. The sport has shaped a big part of who I am. It has taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of working towards long-term goals. Countless hours of training have prepared me for competitions, but nothing could truly prepare me for my first Maccabiah Games in Israel.
Without a doubt, the most unforgettable moment of the Games was walking into the opening ceremony carrying the German flag. Looking around at the packed stadium, seeing thousands of athletes from all over the world, and feeling the energy of the crowd was simply overwhelming. It was one of those rare moments when you realize you are part of something much bigger than yourself. I felt an incredible sense of pride not only as an athlete representing Germany, but also as a young Jewish woman taking part in this unique celebration of sport and community.
What made this Maccabiah so special for me was the opportunity to meet Jewish athletes from countries across the globe. Although we all came from different cultures, spoke different languages, and had different backgrounds, there was an immediate connection between us. It was amazing to experience how sport can create friendships and unite people beyond borders. Whether we were competing against each other, cheering from the stands, or simply spending time together after the competitions, there was always a feeling of belonging.
Members of Germany’s swimming team display their medals beside a tribute to Eden Nimri, an Israeli national-team swimmer and IDF officer who was killed defending the Nahal Oz base on October 7, 2023, after helping save the lives of 17 fellow soldiers.
Representing Germany carried a special meaning for me. The Jewish community in Germany is relatively small, so wearing the German flag at the Maccabiah felt like a great honour and an important responsibility. It allowed me to represent both my country and my Jewish identity at the same time. Those two parts of who I am came together in a way that felt incredibly meaningful throughout the Games.
The experience also strengthened my connection to Israel and to the global Jewish community. Before coming to the Maccabiah, I had never experienced Jewish life on such an international scale. Meeting athletes from so many different countries showed me how diverse, vibrant, and connected our community really is. It made me realize that, despite our different stories and traditions, we share something that brings us together.
As my first international competition, this experience has given me much more than a sporting achievement alone. I’m leaving with unforgettable memories, new friendships, and lessons that will stay with me both as an athlete and as a person. Above all, I will always remember the feeling of being part of a worldwide Jewish family. That sense of belonging is something I will carry with me long after the medals have been awarded and the competitions have ended.
Photos courtesy of Makkabi Deutschland & Yael Rohde
The Moments Between the Medals
Andrew Myers
General Team Manager
Maccabi GB Maccabiah 2026
I travelled to Israel as General Team Manager of Team Maccabi GB, responsible for leading and supporting what became a very small but incredibly committed delegation.
From a sporting perspective, we were absolutely delighted to return home with three medals. Sarah Schechter won gold in the Women’s Tennis Doubles and bronze in the Women’s Tennis Singles, while Sam Cohen secured silver in the Women’s Tennis Singles. Both played outstanding tennis throughout the tournament, showed tremendous composure under pressure and thoroughly deserved their success. Their medals were the reward for years of hard work and commitment, and everyone in the delegation was incredibly proud to see them standing on the podium. In fact, all our athletes represented Great Britain with pride, dignity and sportsmanship.
However, the moments that will stay with me the longest happened away from the sporting venues.
Our visit to southern Israel as part of the Maccabiah Olim Day was one of the most powerful and emotional experiences I’ve ever had. We visited the Nova Festival memorial, spent time in Sderot, met survivors of the 7 October attacks and heard first-hand from former hostage Keith Siegel about his 494 days in captivity.
They were deeply moving experiences that gave all of us a far greater understanding of what Israel has endured over the past two and a half years. They strengthened our connection to the country and reminded us that these Games were about something much bigger than sport. I know every member of our delegation will carry those experiences with them for the rest of their lives.
Meeting President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal, was another real highlight. It wasn’t something I’d expected, and it reinforced just how significant it was to be representing the British Jewish community in Israel at such an important moment in the country’s history.
Given the security situation and everything happening in the region, I think everyone involved in organising the Games deserves enormous credit. Delivering an international multi-sport event is never straightforward, but the challenges this year were unlike anything the Maccabiah has faced before.
What stood out most to me, though, was the warmth of the welcome we received. Everywhere we went, people thanked us simply for making the journey. There was a genuine sense of appreciation that was incredibly moving, and I have never felt more welcomed in Israel.
There was also a wonderful camaraderie between the delegations. Athletes from across the Jewish world understood that simply being there carried added significance. There was a real sense that everyone was supporting one another, regardless of which country they represented, and that spirit was one of the defining features of the Games.
I look back on the Maccabiah with an enormous sense of pride, but also with some sadness. Before the postponement we had been preparing a delegation of around 400 people, and I know how many athletes had dreamed of representing Great Britain in Israel. It remains hugely disappointing that so many were unable to have that opportunity because of circumstances completely beyond their control.
More than anything, though, I’ll remember the feeling of simply being there. Hearing Hatikvah at the Opening Ceremony, wearing a Great Britain shirt in Israel, standing alongside Jewish athletes from around the world and experiencing everything we did over those two weeks reinforced the strength, resilience and unity of the global Jewish community.
Photos by Alex Mandal.
Being There, Together
Pierre Haddad
President, Maccabi France
The Maccabiah Games have always been far more than a sporting competition. This edition reminded us of that with particular intensity.
Having had the honor of accompanying the Maccabi France delegation will remain one of the proudest moments of my journey. At a time when some major delegations had chosen not to attend, our presence in Israel carried a significance that extended far beyond sport. Simply being there, representing France, and demonstrating our support sent a powerful message.
Admittedly, this edition brought together fewer participants than usual. Yet from the opening ceremony onward, any concerns quickly faded. The packed stadium, the assembled delegations, the flags, the songs, and the palpable emotion created a truly magnificent moment. Once again, the Maccabiah Games demonstrated their ability to unite thousands of people around a shared identity, a shared history, and common values.
The French delegation can also take pride in its achievements. The many medals won were the result of months, and sometimes years, of preparation, commitment, and pushing beyond one's limits. They reward the hard work of the athletes, as well as that of the coaches, volunteers, and everyone who makes this extraordinary experience possible.
And yet, the greatest victory cannot be measured in podium finishes.
It can be seen in the eyes of the young people who took part in these Games. They will return home with memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. The competitions were intense, but the moments they shared were just as powerful: connecting with participants from all over the world, visiting Jerusalem, and gathering in remembrance at the site of the Nova Festival - all experiences that gave this journey a special meaning.
The Maccabiah Games remind us that sport can be a remarkable means of passing on values, preserving memory, and fostering fellowship. Seeing this new generation proudly wear the colors of France, build connections across borders, and return enriched by this experience is, in my view, our greatest achievement. It is this younger generation that keeps the spirit of the Maccabiah Games alive and will carry its legacy forward in the years to come.
Photos courtesy of Maccabi France.