Maccabi Austria successfully organized the inaugural Maccabi Vienna Chanukah Football Trophy for youth football teams comprising players under 14, under 16, and under 18 years old.

Sponsored by Israel Bonds, the tournament unfolded from December 7th to December 10th at the Hakoah sports club in Vienna, Austria.

Youth participants from various Maccabi clubs gathered to compete against each other. Foreign teams arrived on Thursday, December 7^th, with games commencing the following morning and lasting until the afternoon. With the onset of Shabbat, all youth gathered for a joint Kabbalat Shabbat celebration at the Lauder Chabad Centre, together with families from kibbutz Nir Oz and Nachal Oz, who were being hosted in Vienna. This significant gathering, initiated by the managing director of Israel Bonds Europe, aimed to strengthen connections between youth in the Diaspora and Israel.

Meeting individuals who survived the massacre on October 7th, as well as those who lost family members, neighbours, and friends, was a poignant and heartbreaking experience. Those who endured the loss of their homes and underwent traumatic experiences expressed gratitude for the solidarity and support. Standing united is crucial, particularly in the face of adversity, and is what makes the Jewish people so strong and resilient.

During Shabbat, young players enjoyed strolling around Vienna's festively decorated city centre, featuring Christmas decorations, before attending a football game between SC Rapid and RB Salzburg at the Vienna Allianz Stadion. Following the match, players continued their tournament after shabbat until late at night.

On Sunday morning, the final games took place, culminating in an award ceremony in the afternoon marking the end of the tournament.

The weekend proved to be an enriching experience for all, fostering connections among Maccabi players from different cities while demonstrating support for Israel.

Israel Bonds in Europe takes pride in supporting Maccabi Austria and Makkabi Germany, bringing together supporters of the State of Israel.