Maccabi World Union

What Maccabi World Union does

Maccabi World Union is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1921 and headquartered in Ramat Gan, Israel, that operates as the global umbrella organization for Jewish sports, education, and identity programming. It coordinates a network of 450 clubs across 70+ countries on six continents through six continental confederations and approximately 70 territorial organizations, serving roughly 55,000 members directly and reaching an estimated 450,000 people through its broader programming. Its flagship asset is the Maccabiah Games — the de facto Jewish Olympic competition held every four years since 1932 — with the 22nd edition scheduled for June 30 – July 14, 2026.

The organization's product portfolio includes quadrennial athletic competitions, the Maccabiah Camp Experience (scaled from 7 camps / 1,000 campers in 2024 to 21 camps / 3,000 campers in 2025), the Balance therapeutic retreat program ($15,000 per three-day subsidized stay), the Iris Smith World Jewish Sports Museum (1,500 sqm, opened 2022, housing a 30,000-item archive), and the UNBROKEN Exhibition (launched October 2024). There is no proprietary technology, software platform, or AI/ML infrastructure underpinning these offerings; operational technology appears limited to standard event management, donor CRM, and communications systems under CIO Nir Rapaport.

As a nonprofit, Maccabi World Union is funded through donations, sponsorships, program fees, and event-related revenue rather than commercial product sales. Pricing signals include a $5,000 Adopt an Athlete sponsorship and $15,000 subsidized Balance retreat fees. The organization maintains a partnership network with BBYO, JCC Association, and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and pursues a brand-driven and community-driven go-to-market rather than a commercial sales motion. Leadership transitioned from CEO Amir Gissin to current CEO Tzachi Eshkenazi; the organization employs approximately 68 staff globally.

Name

Maccabi World Union

Legal name

Maccabi World Union, Inc.

Website

https://maccabi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Maccabi World Union is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1921 that operates the global network of Jewish sports clubs (450 clubs, 70+ countries), the quadrennial Maccabiah Games, youth camps, a heritage museum, and wellness retreats serving 55,000 members and 450,000 people worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Jewish Community Sports and Education

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Religious Organizations (813110), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

International Sport Federations (IFs) (MPAKAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Olympic & Multi-Sport Governing Bodies (IOC/IPC, Continental Games Federations) (MPAKAFAA), Olympic & Multi-Sport Movement Organizations (NOCs, Olympic Committees) (MPAKACAI), Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK), Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH), Jewish Heritage & Israel Pilgrimage Travel Agencies (THAKAHAC), Volunteer Program Funding, Scholarships & Fundraising Support (EDAIAGAO)

Keywords

• Jewish sports organization
• Zionist youth movement
• Maccabiah Games
• Jewish community education
• Athletic competition events

Headquarters

HQ city

Ramat Gan

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream through donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. MWU is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (EIN: 26-4296212). Donation page with PayPal, wire transfer, Zelle, and check options.
2. Athlete Adoption/Sponsorship: Scholarships of $5,000 each enable athletes from financially disadvantaged communities to participate in Maccabiah Games. Donors can adopt individual athletes or entire delegations.
3. Event Participation Fees: Revenue generated from participation in Maccabiah Games, regional games, JCC Maccabi Games, and Maccabiah Camp Experience programs.
4. Education Programs and Seminars: Revenue from educational seminars, leadership training programs, and Israel programs through Yachad division.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Maccabi World Union operates a global Jewish sports and education platform, anchored by the quadrennial Maccabiah Games in Israel (10,000 athletes) and complemented by Regional Maccabi Games, the Maccabi Tzair youth movement, Yachad Israel Programs (1,500+ participants annually), the Iris Smith World Jewish Sports Museum, and educational seminars across 25+ countries. It also delivers the Adopt an Athlete scholarship, the Maccabiah Camp Experience, the Future Leaders Forum, the Women's Forum, and the Balance therapeutic retreat program for October 7 survivors. The organization is funded primarily through donations and operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 26-4296212).

Product overview

Maccabi World Union operates as a comprehensive Jewish sports and education organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs. Its flagship offering is the Maccabiah Games (the 'Jewish Olympics'), complemented by Yachad Israel Programs bringing 1,500+ participants annually to Israel. The organization runs Maccabi Tzair youth movement, the Iris Smith World Jewish Sports Museum, Regional Maccabi Games (European, Pan American, JCC Maccabi), the Women's Forum for gender advancement, Future Leaders Forum for youth development, Maccabiah Camp Experience for summer camps, and Adopt an Athlete scholarship program. Additional programs include Education Department initiatives, Shlichut emissary program, and the Balance therapeutic support initiative for October 7 victims.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Maccabiah Games Quadrennial flagship sporting event held in Israel, known as the 'Jewish Olympics.' World's largest Jewish athletic competition and second-largest sporting event globally. The 22nd Maccabiah is scheduled for June 30 to July 14, 2026, with 10,000 athletes competing.
• Regional Maccabi Games Series of regional Jewish athletic competitions including the European Maccabi Games (every 4 years, two years after Maccabiah), European Winter Games, Pan American Maccabi Games (sponsored by CLAM), and JCC Maccabi Games (co-sponsored with JCC Association of North America).
• Maccabi Tzair Youth Movement Youth movement with branches in Israel, U.S., Central and South America promoting Jewish heritage, Zionist values, social responsibility, and personal development with emphasis on sports and physical education to connect young Jews worldwide.
• Yachad Israel Programs Israel-based educational and experiential programs bringing over 1,500 participants annually to Israel for short-term and long-term options for teens, young adults, families, and adults. Operates under the Tamar brand tour, study, and volunteer programs.
• Iris Smith World Jewish Sports Museum Museum established in 2022 at Kfar Maccabiah documenting 125 years of Jewish sports history through 1,500 square meters of exhibition space with over 1,000 rare items, videos, and interactive exhibits.
• Maccabiah Camp Experience Program bringing Maccabiah spirit and elite athletes to Jewish summer camps, offering sports clinics led by athletes from Israel and worldwide. Reached 21 camps and over 3,000 campers in summer 2025.
• Adopt an Athlete Scholarship program providing $5,000 scholarships to enable athletes from financially disadvantaged communities (400 athletes from 18 countries including Cuba, India, Venezuela, Ukraine) to participate in the Maccabiah Games.
• Maccabi Future Leaders Forum (FLF) Personalized ongoing leadership program for young Jewish professionals aged 18-38, based on 3-4 seminars per year providing professional training through keynote speakers and workshops. Active in USA, Europe, South America, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and Israel.
• Maccabi Women's Forum Global forum advocating for women's issues, advancing women's leadership, and enhancing representation in pivotal roles within the Maccabi movement.
• Education Department Programs Established in 2003, oversees educational activity in Israel and Diaspora including Maccabi Learning Communities, leadership training, new youth frameworks, educational seminars in 25+ countries, and MWU Shlichim program with 7-8 emissaries.
• Balance - A Place to Breathe Therapeutic support program for victims of October 7 attacks and Nova Music Festival survivors, established in cooperation with Safe Heart nonprofit and Brothers in Yoga association. Includes 3-day retreats at Kfar Maccabiah with clinical therapists, trauma-informed yoga, and group therapy.
• UNBROKEN Exhibition Exhibition at the World Jewish Sports Museum commemorating October 7 attacks and showcasing the resilience of Jewish athletes. Launched in partnership with World Jewish Congress and the Ministry of Culture & Sports.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000 athletes compete every 4 years at Maccabiah Games
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• BBYOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partnership for youth engagement. Since 2012, Maccabi Tzair has sent over 2,000 Israeli teens to BBYO programs in North America, and 10,000 BBYO members have visited Israel on Maccabi programs. MWU shlicha (Tal Maymon) based at BBYO in Washington DC. Joint Maccabiah Camp Experience program.
• JCC Association of North AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of JCC Maccabi Games held each summer in North America. Partnership for Maccabiah Camp Experience reaching 21 camps. MWU shlichim placed at JCCs across North America.
• JCC GlobalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational JCC network partnership for Jewish community engagement and programming worldwide.
• Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Shlichut program - MWU shlichim must pass both Jewish Agency and MWU selection processes. Cooperation on Israel programs and aliyah initiatives.
• World Zionist Organization (WZO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for World Maccabi Tzair & Young Leadership programs. MWU Vice Chairman David Korenfeld serves as WZO representative.
• Israel Olympic CommitteemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational sports body partnership for Maccabiah Games and Israeli sports development.
• Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (KKL-JNF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Israel-oriented education and Congresses. Joint launch of UNBROKEN exhibition with World Jewish Congress and KKL.
• Safe HeartmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit partner for 'Balance - A Place to Breathe' therapeutic program including 400+ psychologists, psychiatrists, and certified clinical instructors.
• Brothers in YogamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation established to treat PTSD through yoga classes, partnering on therapeutic program for October 7 trauma survivors.
• World Jewish CongresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint launch of UNBROKEN exhibition at World Jewish Sports Museum documenting October 7 events and Israeli sports resilience.
• Ministry of Culture and Sports (Israel)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment partnership for Maccabiah Games, sports programs, and UNBROKEN exhibition support.
• Ministry of Education (Israel)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for leadership and Zionist-Jewish education programs. Educational content for Maccabiah reaching about 1 million youngsters in Israel.
• Ministry of Diaspora Affairs (Israel)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment partnership supporting MWU's global Jewish engagement initiatives.
• Ministry of Strategic Affairs (Israel)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for worldwide Hasbarah (public diplomacy) program across all continents.
• Wingate InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIsrael's National Sports Center partnership for sports training and development.
• Israel Sports AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Israeli sports programming and athlete development.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• JCC Association of North America: National umbrella for Jewish Community Centers, which are MWU's most important U.S. distribution partners (co-sponsor of JCC Maccabi Games and Camp Experience). Both operate membership-based Jewish community programming with sports, education, and identity-building missions at scale.
• Birthright Israel Foundation: Runs the dominant Jewish young-adult Israel experience (Taglit-Birthright); MWU's Yachad division brings 1,500 participants annually to Israel on a similar identity-formation premise. Both target 18-32 year-old diaspora Jews for immersive Israel engagement funded by philanthropy.
• Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael / Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF): Core Israeli partner organization with overlapping donor base and government ministry partnerships. Both engage diaspora Jews in Israel-related education, environmental/heritage work, and global Zionist programming.
• B'nai B'rith International: Oldest continuously active Jewish service organization (1843); comparable as a long-tenured global Jewish membership NGO with federated structure, advocacy, programming, and donor-supported operations.
• Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America: Large U.S. Jewish women's organization with similar Zionist mission, 100+ year history, donor-funded model, and global Israel-linked programming. Compares as a peer legacy Zionist nonprofit with comparable governance and fundraising mechanics.
• BBYO (B'nai B'rith Youth Organization): Premier Jewish teen movement globally; MWU's flagship partner for North American youth engagement (2,000+ Maccabi Tzair teens exchanged via BBYO since 2012, 10,000 BBYO members to Israel). Overlapping target demographic and mission to build Jewish identity in young people.
• Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI / Sochnut): Core partner running the global Shlichut program alongside MWU; both engage Jewish communities worldwide with Israel connection, aliyah, and educational programs. Structurally comparable as international Jewish engagement institutions funded by donations and government partnerships.
• World Zionist Organization (WZO): Strategic partner and ideological counterpart; both pursue Jewish-Zionist engagement globally with overlapping leadership (MWU VP David Korenfeld serves as WZO representative). Operates in the same identity-formation space with shared institutional partners.
• Hillel International: Jewish campus organization reaching hundreds of thousands of university students globally — an adjacent demographic to MWU's FLF and Maccabi Tzair. Comparable in mission of building Jewish identity among young adults through programming and partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the USA: Closest analog to MWU's operating model at scale — a federated, membership-based sports, recreation, education, and youth-development network with global footprint. Compares structurally as a broad community/sports nonprofit rather than ideologically.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/maccabiFLF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maccabi-world-union
• Instagraminstagram.com/maccabiflf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maccabi World Union