MACCABI MA’ALE ADUMIM: ISRAELI BASKETBALL HISTORY IN THE MAKING

The Cinderella story of Maccabi  Ma’ale Adumim’s unprecedented rise to Israel basketball’s National league has captured the attention of sports fans in Israel and in Judea and Samaria. The efforts of the team to reach the pinnacle of a major sport have prompted a growing number in Israel and the diaspora to become loyal fans of the upstart hoopsters.

The shocking promotion from Division 3 into the National League in 2021 meant the team had to face teams from larger cities in Israel with bigger budgets.  Many expected Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim’s presence in the National League to last only one season.  Instead, the team fought valiantly against overwhelming odds to return to the league for a second season. The team’s continuing success has shocked some of the countries leading sports pundits.

The goal is not to just survive but rather to take the next step to eventually reach Israel’s Premier League (Legat Ha’al) which is comprised of the top 12 teams in the country.   In order to compete Maccabi needs a level playing field and that means signing the best available players.  That means an increased budget.  To get there we need help from our fan base.

Selecting the best available players and molding them into a successful team is the job of Head Coach Yair Gewirtz.   Raised in Ma’ale Adumim, Gewirtz learned the game in the city’s youth basketball programs, became one of its best players and team captain, and was chosen to become the team’s head coach.    The talented young coach has proven himself time and time again by making the most of a limited budget. The team will of course include the best talent from Ma’ale Adumin and Judea and Samaria.  It also includes top Israeli and American players including American Jews. The new team captain is former Yeshiva University Maccabees player Simcha Halpert.

MAKE A PRO ISRAEL STATEMENT

Helping Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim makes a statement of legitimizing all parts of the Land of Israel through sports.   BDS rejects sports beyond the green line. Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim is on the Israeli basketball map and plans to stay there.

Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim needs you as a fan and supporter.     The City of Ma’ale Adumim helps as much as possible, but they lack the resources of larger cities.

By supporting Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim you are supporting high-quality basketball and a Greater Israel.

MACCABI MA’ALE ADUMIMS HOME COURT ADVANTAGE

When Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim was promoted to the National League they had to adapt to  league rules for its home arena. During its opening season in the National League, the team played all of its home games at the Howard Cosell Sports Center at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.  gym.   The Municipality of Ma’ale Adumim immediately undertook the process of enlarging and improving its arena so that all home games will now be played in the city.  The newly refurbished arena seats 497.  The total cost to the city was NIS 2.5 million.

HEAD COACH YAIR GEWIRTZ

Yair grew up and learned to play basketball with the Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim youth program.   He went on to become a star player and a leader of the team.  He took the coaches course and when his playing days were over was a natural fit to become the head coach.  He has far exceeded expectations by taking a lowly third-division team into the National League against  the predictions of Israel’s basketball pundits.  He surprised many more by avoiding relegation in the first year in the National League despite having a much smaller budget than any other team in the league.

Coach Gewirtz is a player-friendly coach and has created a unique team dynamic. Good players want to play for Gewirtz because he is a proven winner with a drive to take the team to the top.

CAPTAIN SIMCHA HALPERT

Born in California, Simcha was a star player for the Yeshiva University team in 2019-20 that won the Skyline Division. During his college career, he scored over 1500 points becoming 4th on YU’s all-time scoring list.  He made Aliyah to Israel in 2020 and helped the team reach the National League through his clutch play and leadership. Halpert has been named the team captain for the 2022-23 season.

THE YOUTH ARE THE FUTURE

The well-being and happiness of the city’s youth are the top priority in Ma’ale Adumim. Kids across the city look up to the players as role models to emulate.  As a result, interest in the team and basketball, in general, has grown rapidly since the team was promoted to the National League. The city encourages and facilitates regular interaction between the city’s young athletes and Maccabi Ma’ale Adumim players.

Become part of our team.  Keep the dream alive to eventually reach the pinnacle of  Israeli basketball and host Maccabi Tel Aviv beyond the green line.