the return of Maccabi in Belarus

By Vasily Zaitsau, Minsk

On 24 January, a significant milestone was reached for Jewish life in Belarus. The Jewish Religious Union of Belarus, The Together Plan’s trusted partner on the ground, officially registered “Maccabi BY” as an independent legal entity. This new organisation will lead and support sports activities within the Jewish community across the country.

Shortly after its registration, Maccabi BY was formally recognised by the Maccabi World Union, a moment of profound historical importance. The Maccabi movement was once a vibrant force in Belarus, fostering Jewish identity through sport, before being silenced by decades of political upheaval, war, and repression.

a movement interrupted

Before the Second World War, Maccabi clubs thrived throughout the region, offering opportunities for Jewish athletes and strengthening communal and cultural identity. However, the late 1930s and early 1940s marked the movement’s collapse. Under Soviet occupation, independent Jewish organisations were banned, and the devastation of the Holocaust destroyed much of the community that sustained them. Click here for more.

Throughout the Soviet period, from the 1940s to the 1980s, Maccabi ceased to exist entirely. Only in the late 1980s and 1990s, with the fall of the USSR, did small, localised revival efforts begin to emerge. In essence, Maccabi in Belarus had effectively disappeared by 1939–1941.

a new chapter begins

Today, with official registration and international recognition secured, Maccabi BY represents a powerful renewal of that legacy. Plans are already underway to rebuild a thriving Jewish sports community across Belarus.

Among those leading this new chapter is Yulia Sukhavitskaya, a gold medallist at the 2005 Maccabi Games, who now serves on the Maccabi BY board.

Encouragingly, activity has already begun. A futsal (mini-football) team has been established and is currently competing in the Belarusian amateur league, an early sign of the momentum building behind this initiative.

looking ahead – 2026 and beyond

Plans include:

• A community-wide chess championship, with both online and in-person participation, and the potential for an international online tournament. We are now looking for donations of chess sets!
• A Sunday Maccabi Table Tennis Club in Minsk, open to all generations
• The launch of a Maccabi basketball team competing in a local amateur league

There are ambitions to expand into additional sports, both individual and team-based, as resources allow. Growth will be gradual but purposeful, ensuring strong foundations for long-term success.

how you can help

To bring these plans to life, we are launching an appeal for sports equipment to support communities as they build their programmes. We are seeking donations of:

• Balls for football, futsal, basketball, and volleyball
• Table tennis equipment
• Chess sets and clocks
• Training cones and markers
• Athletic clothing and footwear (in good condition)
• Boccia equipment – a vital Paralympic sport for individuals with physical and neurological conditions

Every contribution, large or small, will help empower individuals, strengthen communities, and revive a proud tradition.

get involved

As well as donations for kit and equipment, we are actively seeking patrons and donors to support this exciting initiative. If you would like to contribute, donate or learn more, please get in touch at: [email protected]

Click here for Maccabi BY’s website.

Together, we can help restore a historic movement and create new opportunities for connection, wellbeing, and Jewish life in Belarus.