The 2026 Maccabi Junior Carnival, hosted by Maccabi Victoria in Melbourne from January 14-21, offered a much-needed enhance of spirit, enjoyable and connection for nearly 600 Jewish teenagers from throughout the nation and for the primary time, a delegation from Israel.
A 12-strong Team Arava from Israel joined 400 Victorian friends, greater than 120 children from NSW, scores of Western Australian teenagers and a number of other kids from Queensland, South Australia and Canberra, for per week of bonding via sport and social actions, that solely “Carni” can ship.
It was the highest-attended Maccabi Junior Carnival in 15 years and it started with a high-energy opening ceremony that includes staff processions, Israeli drummers, DJs, pyrotechnics and a falafel feast.
Team NSW members at the opening ceremony.
Jewish AFL star Harry Sheezel got here on stage to say whats up and be interviewed by the 2026 Carni supervisor Lior Rauchberger, creating an additional buzz of pleasure.
Sheezel impressed all the children and signed three footy balls, which have been introduced to staff Arava a number of days later at a medals ceremony.
To high off an unforgettable begin to the carnival, staff members stood tall and linked arms whereas singing Hatikvah.
Team Victoria members holding their banner.
Maccabi Australia president Rod Rosmarin emphasised how “Carni isn’t just about sport, it’s about building the lifelong friendships and social cohesion our community needs now more than ever.”
Rauchberger urged the members to “take it all in, be present and enjoy every minute”.
The aggressive aspect of the week featured 12 sports activities, performed throughout three days.
Results included staff Victoria Pink profitable all six of their matches to clinch the blended volleyball title, NSW Red additionally being undefeated in the netball, and Victoria Orange coming first in basketball.
The Sky Blues have been first in futsal, NSW Red have been unbeatable in women’ contact footy, Victoria Aqua got here out on high in boys’ AFL 9s, and Victoria Maroon earned a clear sweep in soccer.
Junior carnival women’ soccer motion. Photo: Peter Haskin
Awards for members who embody the spirit of the carnival have been introduced to a boy and a woman in every state staff and staff Arava.
Netball motion between Victoria and NSW at the 2026 Maccabi Junior Carnival in Melbourne. Photo: Peter Haskin
Evenings featured a pool get together, a Riva disco get together, and arcade video games at Archie Brothers. There have been additionally enjoyable day journeys to Luna Park and a water park.
Another spotlight of the week was a Shabbat go to to Caulfield Shule and a group service day spent giving again in a program facilitated by Kids in Philanthropy, supporting 10 group organisations. The children baked muffins for C Care, packed 750 “back to school” packs, 200 family-sized snack packing containers for Mazon Australia, 400 faculty snack packs for Eat Up and assist packages for the homeless.
Time for some rides. Photo: Peter Haskin
They additionally discovered extra about JNF Australia and the broader position of group giving.
Boys’ basketball at ‘Carni’ 2026. Photo: Peter Haskin
Making carnival doable have been main sponsors and companions, an organising committee, over 80 Maccabi volunteers, youth leaders, 200 guardian volunteers, billet households and safety offered by CSG and Victoria Police.
ARAVA AUSTRALIA PARTNERSHIP
Carnival connects Israeli and Aussie children
The history-making 12-member Arava staff’s inclusion and participation in the 2026 Maccabi Junior Carnival in Melbourne “represents the heart of what our partnership stands for – connection, community and shared Jewish identity”, mentioned Keren Sapir, director of the Arava Australia Partnership.
The Israeli delegation’s co-captains proudly maintain the flag at the opening ceremony. Photo: Peter Haskin
“We come from the central Arava – a small desert region in southern Israel filled with warmth, resilience and spirit,” Sapir mentioned.
“For our younger athletes, participating in the carnival was not nearly sport – it’s about assembly their friends from Australia, constructing lifelong friendships and feeling a part of one international Jewish household.
“It gave our children an expertise of native Jewish group life in Australia and to find how a lot we share, despite the fact that we dwell on reverse sides of the world.
“On the field they competed, but off the field they talked, laughed, stayed with host families and started building friendships that can last long after the carnival ends.”
Team Arava from Israel at the Carni 2026 opening ceremony on January 14.
Photo: Peter Haskin
Sapir added that the delegation’s imaginative and prescient was that the teenage Israelis would “really feel they’ve a house in Australia and that Australian teenagers will know they at all times have a house ready for them in the Arava.
A boys’ futsal match between staff Arava from Israel and Victoria. Photo: Peter Haskin
“I need to thank our companions, the Maccabi Australia household, the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Jewish Agency.
“Also, all the volunteers, coaches, host families and parents, who are making this connection between Israel and Australia a living, growing reality.”
The submit The Australian Jewish News appeared first on The Australian Jewish News.
