Originally appeared at JNS.org on June 17, 2026

CEO Roy Hessing says “the Games must go on,” describing the event as an opportunity for young Jews from the Diaspora to experience the “real” Israel.

With just over two weeks until the opening ceremony of the 2026 Maccabiah, Roy Hessing, CEO of Maccabi World Union, is projecting confidence despite ongoing regional tensions and travel challenges facing some international delegations.

“It is 16 days until the opening ceremonies of the Maccabiah,” Hessing told JNS in an exclusive interview on Sunday. “We are very excited and happy that people want to come, and we are sure we will have a very meaningful Maccabiah.”

The Games, often referred to as the “Jewish Olympics,” are expected to bring approximately 3,100 athletes from abroad and 2,000 from Israel to compete in 45 sports from July 1 to 14 at venues across the country.

Hessing acknowledged that government travel advisories in countries including Australia, Austria, Britain and South Africa have complicated group participation.

“They are still coming as individuals and will have a great time,” he said. “Our message is very clear—we will give the opportunity to anyone who wants to come and celebrate. No one will be left out.”

For those still waiting to see developments involving Iran before committing to travel, organizers have extended the registration deadline.

“The only time the Maccabiah was ever cancelled was during the Holocaust,” Hessing said. “This is an important message for Israel, the Jewish community and our neighbors that it must go on.”

Founded in 1932 in Tel Aviv, the Maccabiah is held every four years and brings together Jewish athletes from around the world in Open, Junior, Masters and Paralympic competitions. Past participants have included Mark Spitz, Lenny Krayzelburg, Angela Buxton, Brad Gilbert, Dick Savitt and Mitch Gaylord.

This year’s sports include basketball, swimming, surfing, rugby, baseball, squash, table tennis, judo, football, pickleball, handball and padel.

Hessing said one of the most encouraging developments has been the age of this year’s participants.

“We were very surprised and happy that the majority of the athletes are under 19 years old,” he said. “We know what is happening in this generation. We will give them a great time and they will go back to their colleges and their lives and will have a better opinion of Israel.”

Beyond competition, participants will take part in educational and cultural programming designed to deepen their connection to Israel and Jewish identity.

“They are here for at least two weeks—even if they compete in six games of football or in two days of judo,” Hessing said. “They will visit the Nova festival site in the Gaza Envelope, participate in a festival with residents of the south, experience Kabbalat Shabbat and have a chance to celebrate bar and bat mitzvah. They will have a full program, which is very attractive.”

He described the Games as an opportunity to expose young Jews to the reality of Israel beyond the headlines and to strengthen their connection through sport and personal experience.

The Maccabiah is the flagship event of Maccabi World Union, whose roots date back to 1895, when Jewish gymnasts in Constantinople established their own sports club after being barred from joining a local organization because of antisemitism. The movement grew into a worldwide network that today encompasses hundreds of clubs and hundreds of thousands of members.

Its global headquarters at Kfar Maccabiah in Ramat Gan also houses a museum chronicling the organization’s history since its founding.

“It is a must-visit for people who love sports and Zionism,” Hessing said.

A former member of Israel’s national water polo team, Hessing has spent nearly three decades in Israeli sports administration. He previously served as CEO of the Israel Water Polo Association, sports director of the Maccabiah Games and CEO of the Games before being appointed CEO of Maccabi World Union in 2025.

The 2025 Maccabiah was postponed to 2026 because of the war. Despite continuing regional uncertainty, Hessing stressed that organizers are working closely with Israeli security authorities.

“Israel is a safe place to be,” he said. “Security is our first priority.”

He added that Maccabiah maintains close coordination with the army, police and other security bodies and expressed confidence that the event will send an important message to the international community.

“It is our biggest international event in Israel since Oct. 7,” Hessing said. “It sends an important message that Israel is a safe place and that we are happy to host all teams and performers—and that we are waiting for you to come to Israel.”

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Originally appeared in JNS.org June 11, 2026

Jewish National Fund-USA brought together 40 Israeli architectural firms to explore plans for a new hub for Zionist education, leadership and innovation in the Negev.

Top Israeli architects and planning teams spent five action-packed hours on Wednesday in Beersheva learning about the Jewish National Fund-USA’s ambitious plans for the World Zionist Village, a transformative center for Zionist education, leadership, innovation, community-building and lifelong engagement with the land and people of Israel.

When completed, the 48,000-square-meter global hub in the growing Negev city will host the Alexander Muss High School, an English-language high school for Israelis, a gap-year program, a pre-army mechina, apartments for interns and seniors and a guesthouse hotel.

Plans also include a Global Learning and Leadership Center, a Zionist Heritage Center, a Living Lab for Innovation showcasing Israeli breakthroughs in sustainability, agricultural technology, climate technology and desert survival technology, as well as cultural and wellness spaces.

Russell Robinson, CEO of Jewish National Fund-USA, welcomed the delegation at Beersheva River Park Lake, highlighting the 12,000-seat amphitheater, athletic fields, man-made lake and thousands of apartments that have sprung up nearby as a result of the park’s success.

Robinson reflected on the area’s transformation in recent years. “They used to dump cars and trash here,” he said, before sharing his vision for the future. “The last part of our plan is the World Zionist Village.”

He thanked the architects and planning teams for coming “to understand our vision.”

The delegation then traveled to the nearby Abraham’s Well International Visitors’ Center for refreshments and a guided tour tracing the history of Beersheva—and its tradition of hospitality—back to the time of the biblical patriarch Abraham.

Erez Ella, founder and partner at HQ Architects, presented a detailed overview of the vision and technical design plans for the World Zionist Village.

Beersheva Mayor Ruvik Danilovich, who has served in the role since 2008, expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the importance of further developing the Negev and praising Jewish National Fund-USA for initiating the effort.

“They are crazy! They came with the idea and got the State of Israel on board!” he said.

Danilovich added that “a strong Negev is a strong Israel and a solution for Israel.”

Russell Robinson, CEO of Jewish National Fund-USA, leads a golf-cart tour of Beersheva River Park Lake for a delegation of Israeli architects, June 10, 2026. Photo by Howard Blas.

Golf-cart tour

Guests then boarded buses for a golf-cart tour of Beersheva River Park Lake led by Robinson.

Shira Englander of Mosessco Architects drove from Tel Aviv to learn more about the project and explore the possibility of participating in its design. She said she was drawn to a project that “connects Jewish people in Israel and around the world and creates a place for education and culture.”

She also praised its emphasis on sustainability and noted that “something like this doesn’t exist in Israel.”

Yoel Rosby, director of the World Zionist Village, observed: “This is the first time that this many architects from around the country have gotten together for an initiative around world Zionism.”

He added: “This initiative will help open the eyes of society to what the future of Zionism can and should look like.”

Tali Tzour Avner, Jewish National Fund-USA’s chief Israel officer, said she envisions the center as a place “for all Zionists around the world to gather, speak, discuss and communicate with each other.”

She said she is proud that “JNF is leading in speaking about Zionism without hesitation” and emphasized that the center is intended for “Zionists—Jews and non-Jews of all ages, from all places.”

From the opening presentation at 9 a.m. through lunch and a question-and-answer session at Ivri restaurant overlooking the lake, the architects experienced firsthand the enthusiasm and investment that Jewish National Fund-USA, Beersheva and Israel are bringing to the World Zionist Village.

By participating in the site visit and presentations, the firms are now eligible to submit bids to help design the ambitious project.

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Originally appeared in JNS.org on June 3, 2026

Israel’s Education Ministry recently approved the platform for its Summer 2026 catalog, encouraging youngsters to create with technology rather than simply consume it.

When IDF reservist and father of four Moti Malka returned home to Netanya for a much-needed 24-hour break from reserve duty, his wife had one request: Help their 10-year-old son prepare for an English exam the next day.

Realizing the task was daunting, Malka turned to a tool he knew well from his day job developing AI-based solutions for companies.

“I said to my son David, ‘Let’s create a game using AI to prepare for the exam,’” Malka recalled.

The result surprised them both.

“After two minutes, it created a website and a game,” he said. “When I saw his eyes, this was the moment I realized we needed to make AI accessible for kids.” That moment became the inspiration for Yuvi Lab.

Moti Malka, founder of Yuvi Lab, an innovative AI platform geared for children, 2026. Credit: Yuvi Lab.

The AI-powered platform is designed to move children away from passive gaming and toward creating their own applications, games and digital projects. Malka originally planned to name the startup “You Be,” but after discovering the name was unavailable, he settled on Yuvi.

Working alongside a close colleague and his son, Malka built Yuvi Lab as a shared father-and-son project.

“We combined creativity with education, building something we would genuinely want our own children to spend time on,” he said.

Since launching in March this year, the free platform has attracted more than 2,000 active users, who have collectively created more than 6,000 projects. Available in English, Hebrew, Russian and Arabic, the platform allows children to create educational games and interactive learning modules while earning rewards through daily challenges and long-term missions.

Yuvi Lab is designed to teach children how to create with technology rather than simply consume it.

“We wanted to create a new way of learning, what we call ‘Vibe Coding,’ that speaks the language of today’s generation,” Malka said. “Children aren’t just playing; they’re building, experimenting and thinking creatively.

“In an AI-driven world, children need real skills. They should know how to use these tools creatively, safely and confidently. Our vision is to help children become not just users of AI, but creators—giving them the tools to think long-term, solve problems and innovate.”

Partnering with teachers

The platform also supports educators. Teachers in Israel are currently piloting the technology as both an extracurricular and in-class learning tool. The system adapts to each child’s level, language and learning style, while a built-in “smart assistant” remembers preferences and interests over time.

“Yuvi is a co-pilot for teachers, not a substitute,” Malka said. “It helps educators turn learning into active practice and creation, making it easier to engage students and support those who struggle with independent learning.”

Teachers, he added, often lack the time to focus on each student individually. AI can help them create lessons and assignments tailored to each child.

Malka and his team are also helping teachers use the platform to teach critical thinking.

“We know AI isn’t 100% accurate because of the sources of information, which are usually public sources,” he said. “It is important that teachers teach children critical thinking, to cross-check and ask questions, so that we don’t take an answer for granted and instead keep thinking ahead.”

Parents are also encouraged to take an active role in their children’s learning experience. They can track progress across different subjects and receive assurances regarding the platform’s safety measures.

Built according to “Privacy by Design” principles, Yuvi Lab stores no personally identifiable information. All AI-generated content undergoes safety filtering before reaching users, and the platform operates under Microsoft’s ethical AI framework.

Malka recommends that new users begin with the 20-module Yuvi Lab Academy, which he describes as “a playful guided course that teaches kids how to think, ask, check and build with artificial intelligence in clear language for every age group.”

Each module includes both instructional and interactive gaming components.

Growing interest across Israel

Yuvi Lab was recently approved for inclusion in the Israeli Education Ministry’s “Summer Preparatory 2026” catalog as part of the national artificial-intelligence initiative known as “Realistic Israel.” The initiative is administered by the Israel Innovation Authority, the primary governmental arm responsible for promoting technological innovation in Israel.

Municipalities and educational organizations across Israel are now exploring broader use of the platform beyond the summer program.

Part of the interest may stem from concerns about student achievement. Results from the 2024 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), the OECD’s global evaluation of 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics and science, showed declining performance among Israeli students, particularly in STEM subjects.

Malka, who taught himself coding, credits both his ultra-Orthodox upbringing and the IDF with helping shape the skills that led to Yuvi Lab’s creation.

“In Haredi yeshivas, you spend a lot of time learning Gemara, and you learn how to learn by yourself,” he said.

When he discovered an IDF program that offered Haredi recruits training in English, mathematics and computer skills, he eagerly joined.

“I have to give a big thank you to the army for everything,” Malka said.

Today, he continues to serve as a reserve officer in the IDF Home Front Command while working to equip the next generation with the tools to thrive in an AI-driven world.

Yuvi Lab can be accessed at https://yuvilab.ai/.

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Originally appeared in JNS.org on May 26, 2026

Ticket sales opened this week for the July 1 opening ceremony, featuring leading Israeli and American performers, including pro-Israel advocate Montana Tucker.

The 2026 Maccabiah Games will officially kick off on July 1 with a star-studded opening ceremony at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, featuring leading Israeli and American performers, hundreds of dancers, spectacular pyrotechnics and the traditional parade of Jewish athletes from around the world.

Ticket sales for the ceremony opened this week, according to a press release issued on Monday. The theme of this year’s Maccabiah is “More Than Ever.”

“This year, in the spirit of the annual message ‘More Than Ever,’ the Maccabiah 2026 Opening Ceremony will accommodate its largest capacity yet,” the press release stated. “Sales have now opened, and due to the expected demand, it is recommended to secure seats in advance.”

Among the featured performers billed for the opening ceremony is popular American actress, social media personality and pro-Israel advocate Montana Tucker.

American actress and social-media influencer Montana Tucker addresses the audience before the screening of “The Children of Oct. 7” on April 21, 2025. Photo by Izzy Salant.

Tucker will perform an original song and co-host the athletes’ parade with American-Israeli musician and content creator Michael HarPaz. Together, they will welcome competitors from around the globe.

Yuval Raphael, Israel’s representative at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, will open the evening with a new musical arrangement. Netta Barzilai, who won the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest for Israel, is scheduled to perform a duet with Anna Zak, a Russian-Israeli singer, actress and social media personality.

Idan Raichel, one of Israel’s most accomplished musicians, will be joined on stage by former hostages Daniella Gilboa and Edan Alexander for a special performance of some of his best-known songs.

Hosted by Israeli TV personality Assi Azar and dancer Anna Aronov and directed by Eldar Gohar Grossman, the opening ceremony will include the lighting of the Maccabiah torch, large-scale multimedia displays on two giant LED screens and a procession of thousands of athletes representing Jewish communities worldwide.

Often referred to as the “Jewish Olympics,” the 22nd Maccabiah will take place from July 1-13 and is expected to bring together some 8,000 athletes from 55 countries competing in more than 30 sports.

Gates will open for the July 1 ceremony at 5 p.m., with the program beginning at 7:30 p.m. Israel time.

Tickets are available to the public starting at 99 shekels. JNS readers can receive a special 10% promotional discount on the price of Opening Ceremony tickets. Go to https://tickets.leaan.net/event/-25-bawho9 and type “JNS10″ when prompted to “Add Promo Code.”

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