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Maccabi and EL AL visited wounded war heroes

02/01/2025
HOME · Community · Maccabi and EL AL visited wounded war heroes
A Maccabi Tel Aviv BC delegation, together with representatives from airlines EL AL and Sun d’Or, along with some of the club's legends, visited the "Back to Life" rehabilitation program at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer to light the eighth candle of Hanukkah with soldiers who were wounded at war and their families.

Tal Brody, Miki Berkovich, Moti Aroesti, Doron Jamchi, and Aulcie Perry—who himself underwent rehabilitation at Sheba after losing his leg—joined EL AL CEO Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia, Sun d’Or CEO Gal Gershon, Maccabi Tel Aviv CEO Modi Peled, and staff members. The recovering patients took photos with the legendary players, enjoyed festive sufganiyot, lit Hanukkah candles together, and received EL AL flight tickets, entry passes to a Maccabi game in Belgrade, and a variety of gifts. The candles were lit by two soldiers from the 202nd Battalion: Eliad Malyankar, who was injured by rocket shrapnel after returning from Lebanon, and Alon Hindi, a reservist injured about a year ago in Gaza.




“All of Israel’s heroes are concentrated right here,” said EL AL CEO Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia with a smile. “The journey you are going through is an inspiration to us, and we are profoundly grateful for your immense sacrifices on behalf of the citizens of Israel. You are our heroes. For a long time, we’ve supported the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade. Many EL AL employees have been called up for reserve duty since the beginning of the war, and we even have injured personnel among us. The country could not survive without heroes like you, and you deserve so much more. This eighth candle is a small Hanukkah miracle, seeing your smiles. As we speak, there are still captives, and we hope for good news in the coming year, that they will return home. There’s already talk of a joint flight for them when that day comes. We wish for good news.”

“As you know, it’s not easy even to play sports in this country, as our home court is now in Belgrade,” Ben-Tal Ganancia reminded the audience, adding that they would receive EL AL flight tickets and entry to a Maccabi game. “This is so you can travel, relax with your family, and enjoy a happy, peaceful moment. Our amazing El Al team will make sure you feel at home, wherever you go. May you take off in peace, land in peace, and inspire future generations of heroes.”




“This might be the most emotional candle-lighting I’ve ever attended. We are all able to continue with our lives because of them,” she concluded. “The least we can do is come, bring them joy, and give them hope for new beginnings. We still have soldiers in Gaza and the North, and we wish them all a safe return home. May 2025 bring good news and make them feel truly at home. We’ll be happy to host them on EL AL flights and provide all the warmth and care they deserve.”

“What an amazing feeling it is to come here with Maccabi Tel Aviv and EL AL and see all these heroes during the Festival of the Maccabees,” said Sun d’Or CEO Gal Gershon. “I wasn’t surprised by Dina’s knowledge—she’s a true Maccabi fan. I even told everyone here she hates losing, so we have a lot in common.”




“I stand here with a very special feeling, a deep sense of honor,” said Maccabi CEO Modi Peled. “As the CEO of Maccabi Tel Aviv, I’m used to seeing warriors (athletes, of course) on the court—cultural heroes, even childhood idols of mine, like Tal, Aulcie, Doron, Miki, and Moti, who are here with us. But the real heroes, the heroes of Israel, are in this room. You, our dear soldiers, embody the best of the Israeli spirit—resilience, determination, and courage.”

“Just as in sports, we know that every fall is followed by a recovery. Here, too, in the challenging process of rehabilitation, you show every day what true heroism means,” added Peled. “Heroism that must inspire all of us, young and old alike, and serve as a beacon lighting the future of Israel. On Hanukkah, we commemorate the victory of the Maccabees, the light of miracles, and the triumph of the spirit. Today, you are modern-day Maccabees, carrying on their legacy. The candles we light tonight symbolize the light you bring—light of hope, faith, and strength.”




“On behalf of the entire Maccabi Tel Aviv family, I want to thank you for who you are, for your immense sacrifice, and to wish you a swift and full recovery. We are here for you, embracing and supporting you,” he concluded. “Happy Hanukkah to you and your families. However, our joy will not be complete until all our hostages return to their families. We all pray for that.”

“The most important thing for us is the return of the captives to their homes and families,” emphasized Moti Aroesti, a two-time European champion and member of the Maccabi Hall of Fame. “It is an honor for us to come and give back to these young people who have given everything for the State of Israel. In my opinion, the honor is ours, not theirs. We do this with great love and joy. For us, this is everything.”












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