As a result of the rapid development of Jewish sports clubs between 1895 and 1921, Maccabi World Union was formed to act as the parent body to which all Maccabi national and territorial organisations (TO) were to affiliate. The European Maccabi Confederation was created in 1947 and now consists of some 38 countries with particular growth in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union since 1990.

The EMC is one of 6 confederations that together with confederations in North America, South America, Australia, South Africa and Israel comprise Maccabi World Union.  Each confederation has its own Chairman or President and there is a meeting of all confederations that takes place every year in Israel.  Maccabi is the world’s only Jewish organisation that uses sport as a vehicle for Jewish continuity and the recognition of the centrality of Israel.  Nothing demonstrates Maccabi’s strength more than the Maccabiah Games which was first held in Eretz Yisrael in 1932 with the 18th Maccabiah having taken place in Israel in July 2009.

I have been privileged to Chair the EMC executive since November 2002 when I was elected in Istanbul.  It has given me the opportunity to visit and learn about so many Jewish communities in Europe and over the past 7 years I, together with my executive, have been able to assist many countries in their Maccabi development.

This website will give Maccabi members the opportunity to promote and participate in events and programmes in Europe while through photos and reports communicate information about what is going on in their country. While Europe is a vast continent our EMC website will bring us closer together and provide a greater understanding of the different cultures that exist among so many Jewish communities.

Stuart Lustigman
EMC Chairman