This journey commenced in January this year, just a little over two months following the outbreak of the Iron Swords War, amid thunderstorms enveloping the skies of Israel. Michael Koblenz, one of the owners of the Makkabi Berlin soccer team, arrived for a solidarity visit at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba. Subsequently, we convened for a coffee in Tel Aviv.
Koblenz, an ardent soccer enthusiast and a prominent figure in the city's Jewish community, proposed an initiative, "Let's arrange for a delegation of Israeli children to experience a week of football in Berlin. I will handle the financing; could you assist in compiling a list?" I immediately agreed, despite lacking prior experience in such matters.
Video: The Israeli delegation in Berlin
Assistance was provided by Tali Leybuvich, formerly a spokesperson for Maccabi Tel Aviv and currently a senior strategist in public relations concerning hostages and soldiers wounded since the outbreak of the war.
With cooperation from Maccabi Berlin and the Jewish community in Berlin, we created a list of 30 children and parents. Among them were Sapir Hamami, widow of Col. Asaf Hamami, who was killed battling Hamas terrorists at Kibbutz Nirim on Oct. 7, accompanied by her three children; Itamar Ben Hemo, one of the war's recognized casualties, along with his children; Or Sheizaf, a marathon runner severely injured by an explosive who vowed to run again; and Nehad Khir Al-Din, the widow of the Israeli hero Lieutenant Colonel Mahmoud Khir Al-Din, killed years ago in a covert operation in Khan Younis. Additionally, representatives from various military units, including Egoz and Golani, joined the group.
The flight was scheduled to depart last Sunday, although disrupted by Iranian plans, Israir determined we would proceed, on one of the few flights that left that day following the attack.
"None of us anticipated to cry here"
From the outset, Heinz-Galinski School in Berlin greeted us with vibrant Hebrew songs. The staff and principal openly shed tears during the moving ceremony prepared by the children over the previous month. "We are one family, and we are delighted you are here," declared Gideon Joffe, head of the Jewish community in Berlin. The children from the school posed for a group photo with the visiting Israeli children.
At the event's conclusion, everyone stood to sing the Israeli anthem, with Boaz Engel, who had brought his two children, Daniella and Benaia, visibly moved. "Ordinarily, we are quite cynical, especially recently. I had long resisted visiting Berlin due to my family's history [pertaining to the Holocaust], and this was my first visit. Yet, witnessing the community's embrace, a transformation occurs. I am certain none of us anticipated to cry here, yet the visit was deeply moving."
That afternoon, the Israeli children interacted with Maccabi Berlin's youth at the club's opulent complex, which also serves as the local Jewish community's country club. The children of the brothers Lico and Meir Friedler, notable figures in both the history and present of the Egoz unit, quickly donned Maccabi uniforms, reaffirming that soccer is indeed an international language.
How is it that they receive snacks after training, and it's not the same back home?" inquired the children after a ninety-minute game. "It's not usually like this," replied Shlomi, responsible for organizing this trip on behalf of the Jewish soccer group. "This is a special arrangement for you."
Matanya Markovich, who had departed Gaza just prior to the trip, arrived with his two children, who quickly became focal points for the extensive coverage by the German media. While they may have anticipated war stories, they instead received insights about feeling instantly at home upon arrival, encapsulating the journey's entire purpose.
"With you with all our hearts"
Upon entering the parking lot of the Olympic Stadium, the staff of Hertha Berlin welcomed us with broad smiles. German soccer envelops the Israelis with affection, occasionally subdued in its display to the media due to local sensitivities.
Thomas Herrich, the team's CEO, approached us, seeking to share a few words, "Until October, I knew not a single Hebrew word, but since then, I've learned my first three: 'Am Yisrael Chai'. Please know that we stand with you wholeheartedly, and you are always welcome here, perhaps even to aid us in returning to the premier league."
As the delegation proceeded to the VIP box in the stadium – the very box Adolf Hitler occupied during the 1936 Olympics – the symbolic gravity was palpable. Koblenz suggested a group photograph, and as everyone stood in the VIP box against the backdrop of the grand stadium, a chant of "Am Yisrael Chai" rose from the group, echoing throughout the stadium and prompting responses of encouragement from onlookers.
Later, warming up in a local restaurant, the delegation met Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor, who remarked, "This is one of the challenging times for the community and Israelis in Berlin, but in matters involving governmental institutions and significant entities like soccer, we receive tremendous support here, and visits like yours greatly assist us."
"May this story continue to be told"
The German Parliament remains a strategic focal point in Israel's informational and constitutional battle since the outbreak of the war. One of Israel's staunchest advocates is Burkard Dregger, an MP from the governing CDU party, serving as its primary spokesperson. "I urge you to discuss freely and disclose everything, as it is crucial for me to further disseminate this information," he emphasized at the start of our closed meeting, shielded from the German media.
Sapir Hamami seized the opportunity to voice her concerns to the parliamentarian, "I am here in Germany with my children, having lost my husband on the first day of the war, yet we still have hostages in Gaza undergoing daily torment. I do not comprehend why more isn't being done to aid their release, and I fear the world has simply forgotten them. It feels as though insufficient efforts are being made for their release."
Accompanying Sapir was the wife of Cl. Tal Ashur and their three children, Ella, Maya, and Alon. Ashur is the commanding officer of the Southern Gaza Brigade, "My husband is currently in Gaza, fighting not only for Israel but for the entire Western world. We are battling for democracy and the whole of the West." The parliamentarian concurred that for many in Germany, Israel's fight extends beyond its own interests or that of the global Jewish community.
Or Sheizaf's story also captured headlines in Germany, following reports in the local media of his recent participation in the Berlin half-marathon, and even the German parliamentarian had heard about the Israeli running coach. "I am confident that you will soon resume running," he assured the recuperating soldier, who took the opportunity to express his thoughts.
"The IDF, which I am part of, is not only the most moral army in the Middle East but also the most moral worldwide. We bear a significant burden because we insist on not harming those who are innocent."
Tiran Buzhish added, "In Germany, they fail to understand that in every house my team and I have entered over the past six months, we discover weapons or materials hostile to Israel, including images of Adolf Hitler. It is essential to recognize that we are not combating a uniformed army but civilians who attack us and then retreat to tunnels. I realize we are losing the public relations battle, but the world must awaken."
Just before the delegation's trip back to Israel, they also got to watch two soccer matches. The first was a Bundesliga game between Union Berlin and Bayern Munich. Itamar Ben Hamo pulls out his phone, "With all due respect to Bayern Munich, we need to see how Hapoel Tel Aviv is doing."
Ben Haim, who received a huge feature in The Wall Street Journal about his serious injury, gets hugs from the Union folks. Unlike Bayern's 5-1 easy win over Union, Ben Haim's Hapoel team is struggling to make him and his red-and-white family happy through the phone screen. Union says goodbye to the Israeli delegation, promising that anytime they want to come, they're invited to support the team.
Here is a paraphrased English translation without using the word "Nusshenhultz":
Just before returning to their home country, another extraordinary experience occurred - a fifth division league match between the Jewish club that hosted the Israelis, Maccabi Berlin, and another team located three hours' drive from Berlin. It was a mid-table match in the local Jewish league. "Finally our stadium hosts the Israelis," Koblenz said, smiling. "This connection is very important to us. We did something big this week that will not be forgotten, not in our community and team and not in yours in Israel."
Last year, Maccabi Berlin advanced to the first round of the German Cup but was defeated by Wolfsburg. This year, they have already reached the semi-finals of the local cup competition, with the winner gaining entry to the national cup. Maccabi won this match 1-0, and everyone boarded the bus back to their home country. "I don't want to go back, I don't want to leave the new friends and leave Berlin. I had fun," summed up Ram, Nahad's son, articulating the feelings of all the children, but also the adults, who experienced an unforgettable week in Berlin.
