Current sectionHaaretz MagazineShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeIn 1932, seven Jewish friends embarked on a four-month journey across Europe and North Africa to promote the first Maccabiah Games. They braved storms and antisemitic attacks, smuggled weapons for the Haganah – and were ultimately caught by the British in Be'er ShevaOfer Aderet03:51 AM • July 16 2026 IDTThe idea that sprang into the minds of seven young Polish Jews in 1932 was "a bit crazy," as Shimon Honigman, one of them, later admitted.Loading...CommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Israel NewsIranMahmoud AhmadinejadLindsey GrahamPollKnesset Israel ElectionsHaQuizHaaretz PodcastHaaretz CartoonOnce Again, Netanyahu Ran Away - but He Cannot Rewrite HistoryNetanyahu's Delusional Iran Campaign Damaged Israel as Deeply as October 7Yonatan Hun and His Parents Are Harassing MeLindsey Graham Wasn't Israel's Friend – He Was a Friend of Its Worst InstinctsRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIInside the Mossad Plot to Install Ahmadinejad as Iran's LeaderThe Original Tradwives of Ancient RomeEgypt Lost the World Cup. But Was the Referee Really Jewish?Eisenkot Is Quietly Gaining Ground in Likud Territory. Enough to Beat Netanyahu?Ro Khanna, U.S. Lawmaker & Israel Critic, Says West Bank Settlers 'Detained' HimRahm Emanuel Wants to Save Israel. But Are Israelis Listening?