Welcome party held for delegations
(VIDEO) Ministry of Absorbtion holds welcoming evening for Maccabiah athletes; participants bonded over music, shows and food; how many will stay and make aliyah?
TEL AVIV - (VIDEO) The night before the grand opening ceremony launched the 17th Maccabiah on its way, the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption did what it could to encourage athletes to stay in Israel with a party for for all the delegations.
Early on in its existence, the Maccabiah helped European Jews escape the Nazis and move to Palestine even before establishment of the state. But judging from the response to Sunday night's pitch, most athletes appeared content with remaining residents of their home countries.
The event took place in the Maccabiah village and included a mismatched variety of colorful entertainment. One stage featured loud karaoke, which invited singles, couples and whole teams of athletes to sing '80s pop music off-key. Trance music sounded in the area of the main stage for most of the night, until Israeli singer Dana International began her show.
On another stage, a group of belly dancers showed off their skills. A group of costumed stilt walkers circled in the audience and either danced or threw sparkles on everyone. A group of performers in large peacock costumes who marched to the beating of tribal drums were an even more colorful display.
Israeli food from various ethnicities was served on tables around the grassy area.
'Israel a third world country'
Australian hockey player Peter Rubinstein arrived July 4, and was taken by the ministry on a quick tour of Jerusalem, as well as trip to Masada and the Dead Sea.
"We had a Beduin dinner and tea cooked on an open fire, and watched belly dancing," Rubinstein said.
But despite the ministry's efforts, Rubinstein is not planning to stay in Israel after the Maccabiah.
"I've done many visits to Israel, and Israel is a wonderful melting pot," he said, "But it's a Third World country in many respects. Look at the road toll and drowning."
Rubinstein is involved in the Arava Leadership Group, an initiative of Partnership 2000, which wants to encourage job growth and business creation in the Arava area in Israel.
"I can do a lot for Israel from outside of Israel, more than what I could do from here," he said.
This is Rubinstein's fourth Maccabiah; he was 15 minutes away from the Maccabiah bridge when it collapsed in 1997. He said the Friday memorial ceremony for the victims of the disaster was moving and provided closure.
"It was a long time ago," he said. "All is forgiven."
American triathlon athlete Howard Greenfield does not plan to make aliyah either. His team went on similar trips, some guided and some individual, though they were warned against separating from the group for security reasons.
As part of their training, the team biked around Tel Aviv.
"It is very beautiful," Greenfield said. "But I love New York."
It is his first trip to Israel, but Greenfield has already gotten stung by a jellyfish.
'If I don't join army, I will regret it'
Unlike Rubinstein and Greenfield, Leandro Fleischer, a Futsal player from Argentina, plans to move to Israel in the near future. The 23-year-old athlete is two years away from a journalism degree, but is afraid that he will be too old to join the army when he finishes his studies.
"I love Israel," he said. "I am very curious. The army is a great experience. If I don't do it I will regret it for the rest of my life."
Fleischer said he cannot wait two years, but he still did not decide on a date to move. In the meantime, he plans to stay in Israel until the end of July and the go on to Greece and Spain for a two-week trip. On Monday night he will be broadcasting the ceremony on Jewish radio in Argentina.
Most of the people wore shirts and jerseys that identified their home countries. Some groups came close together, yelled, jumped, and danced to the sound of the music, which varied from Israeli folk to American pop. Others circled around and introduced themselves to other delegations' members.
Immigration Minister Tzipi Livni welcomed the athletes and wished them luck. She expressed her hopes to welcome them not only as visitors, but as citizens.
The ministry's slogan for the event, and the other immigration encouragement forces, was "Next time, enjoy a home court advantage."
