Israel, New Jew, Max Nordau, the Maccabi Games, and Chanukah

Rabbi Arnold D. Samlan

MAX NORDAU• Early Zionist thinker and

leader• Created idea of Muscular

Jew• Fought against the

stereotype of the European Jew

European Jewish Stereotype, defined by Nazis, past and present

The Maccabees and the Maccabi Games

• Taking their philosophical lead from Nordau, Jewish sports leagues sprang up across Europe in the early 1900’s

• Nordau and others looked to biblical characters such as King David and to post-biblical characters, such as Maccabees for inspiration

• Sports clubs began to use the name Maccabi

The New Muscular Jew Appears in Zionist Posters 1930 - 1950

Result

Modern Israel:• Revived Jewish agriculture• Built armed forces• Created respect for sports and fitness

(curiously enough, a Hellenistic value)• Gained world respect for physical and military

strength