We’re back… Maccabi Junior Carnival kicks off in Sydney!

427 participants aged between 11 and 15 flooded terminal two of Sydney Domestic Airport early on Tuesday morning, accompanied by their 48-strong leadership team, as the 34^th annual Maccabi Junior Carnival kicked off with a ruckus at the baggage carousel. Despite the marshalling of our youth leaders, something which almost anyone in the eastern suburbs could tell you was revealed; Jewish parents have little to no patience. Amongst the chaos of the airport, Carnival manager Justin Shelton quipped, “I’m super excited to get started on what should be a great carnival. It’s amazing to have the kids here from all over the country, as well as from across the ditch in New Zealand.”

Parents and participants alike echoed supreme leader Shelton’s statement, “This is our first carnival and we’ve heard only good things. We have two billets, one from Victoria and the other from Western Australia and we’re looking forward to a week of fun!” remarked Andrew and Noah Klein. However, Carnival’s youngest participants were looking for a little bit extra… “Do we get any benefits?!” was the question young New South Welshmen Gabriel Sperber and Jordan Harrity had for me before I shrugged my shoulders and died a little inside upon hearing they were born in 2004.

Gabriel is Carnival’s outright youngest member at 11 years, 3 months and 29 days and he says he’s up for the challenge. “It’s challenging being the youngest here and could be a bit awkward with a billet who is a bit older than me… but I’m ready to take on the challenge!”

It’s NSW Team Manager Joel Weiner’s second year in the job and he’s more excited than anyone for a home Carnival. “Everyone here in NSW is thrilled to jump straight into it and are hoping that all the planning pays off. We aim to make it the best experience for each and every one of the kids who have made the trip down to Sydney.”

After settling into their homes for the week, participants made their way to Hensley Field where the first sporting event of the Carnival program took place in the form of an athletics carnival. Events included runs of 100, 200 and 800 metres as well as field events long jump and high jump – each broken into two age categories per gender. There were some outstanding performances in our events, including a remarkable feat from NSW’s Jake Sperber who managed to jump a distance of 5.37 metres in the long jump. For those of you unfamiliar with long jump, that’s a pretty darn big jump… the full winners list will be published at the bottom of this post.

NSW competitors Jay Hirchowitz and Felix Moses were big fans of the place of athletics at Carnival, “I think this is a great initiative and one which should be compulsory to compete in. Those that came today had good fun and a great experience – one which I think everyone would benefit from.” Their fellow blue Daniel King added to their thoughts, “It’s a real good way to get to know who the good athletes are. Through Carni I know people I wouldn’t normally know and can make friendships I wouldn’t normally make.”

The Western Australian contingent had the longest journey of any team to arrive at Carnival and it certainly took it out of some of their members. Nalani Gleeson and Nelly Shufrin opted not to compete but still made the effort to support their friends at the long jump. “We had fun today cheering our friends on and making sure they tried their best,” the pair stated.

Sharne Schloss-Waters and Layne Thompson with the Jocelyn Kann memorial flame as named after their grandmother.

The VIPs: Justin Shelton, Rabbi Mendel Kastel, Tom York OAM, Tom Goldman OAM, Danny Hochberg, Representative of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Representative of Waverley Mayor Sally Betts. (L to R) Photo: Jess Cohen.

At the completion of the sporting aspect of Carni’s opening day came the formal element where we officially ushered in the start of the 11^th Junior Carnival held on the shores of Sydney. Emcee Joel Grunstein ran the show as speeches from Justin, Maccabi NSW President Danny Hochberg and Carnival patron Tom Goldman were preceded by a welcome to country performed by Sydney Roosters players Connor Watson and Latrell Mitchell. The national anthems of Australia and Israel were performed by Doron Chester. Many spoke of the importance of Carnival as it was emphasised that over 17,500 Jewish young people have now participated in Australia’s largest Jewish youth event since its inception in 1982. Finally, the Jocelyn Kann Memorial Flame was lit as Maccabi Junior Carnival was officially opened much to the delight of the crowd.

After a long day, participants were then picked up from the venue as they ventured home to prepare for the hectic schedule they are to endure over the next week.

Tune in daily for your latest fix of Maccabi Junior Carnival News!

Thanks for reading.

By Jake Rosengarten

Long Jump:

Boys – Jake Sperber (5.37m)

Girls – Marley Kuran (3.83m)

100m:

6/7 Girls – Ashley Zukowski (15.6 sec)

8/9 Girls – Jessica Rich (15.7 sec)

6/7 Boys – Matt Nurick (13.5 sec)

8/9 Boys – Gregg Allen (13.2 sec)

800m:

6/7 Girls – Gabi Goodridge (2:57.3)

6/7 Boys – Nathan Spielman (2:50.1)

8/9 Boys – Sammy Guttmann (2:30.3)