Sister and brother Sylvia and Ariel Zeltzer traveled to Israel for the 2026 Maccabiah. Sylvia is part of the media team, while Ariel is on the U17 Boys’ Basketball Team. Here is a first-hand account of a day-long trip the entire Maccabi USA delegation took to the Gaza envelope on July 9. The article is written by Ariel and edited by Sylvia.
It was a day of many emotions, beginning with exhaustion.
Bleary-eyed Maccabiah athletes boarded buses early in the morning of July 9 for a visit to communities near the Gaza border. Several athletes found it difficult to bring their full energy to the day. But the bus ride quickly became one of the highlights and perked everyone up. Friends laughed, joked, and enjoyed spending time together as they made the trip south.
The next shift occurred when one of the tour guides took the mic at the front of the bus and shared her personal experiences from October 7. She recalled waking up that morning, walking downstairs, and seeing her parents watching television. When her father told her there was a war, she immediately knew the situation was serious because, as she explained, her father “never joked about war.” She was supposed to fly to Egypt that day, but her flight was canceled. Her story silenced everyone, and the mood turned somber.
Upon our arrival at Sderot, just a few miles from the northeast corner of Gaza, some participants grew nervous about being so close to the border. One athlete admitted they were not exactly sure where Gaza was on a map before the trip.
The fears melted away when we met children who lived in the surrounding kibbutzim. The kids enthusiastically welcomed the athletes, eager to trade Maccabiah pins and spend time with visitors from around the world. One child asked if the athletes were famous, while another was convinced that one of our volunteers, Elijah Wilkens, was a famous YouTuber.
Later, the group visited a lookout just 70 meters from the Gaza border. What many expected to be the scariest part of the day became one of the most fascinating. Athletes took in a view they had seen only on television and took many photos and videos. Despite standing only 70 meters from Gaza, I actually felt safer and calmer there than I do back home in New York City; other athletes agreed. Out in the distance, we spotted Israeli tanks. For those who had never been to Israel before, that sight was either comforting or nerve-wracking. I thought about my cousin who served in a tank unit inside Gaza and was proud to see what his service had accomplished.
By the time everyone boarded the buses again for the return home, the mood had shifted back from anxiousness to confidence. Laughter returned, conversations resumed, and exhaustion faded. Sharing smoothies and relaxing together under the tents at a party in Sderot gave everyone a chance to process the day while ending on a positive note.
Despite the initial fatigue and apprehension, the day allowed athletes to visualize and better understand the tragedies of October 7 and to further their connection to the Land of Israel. It was one of the most memorable experiences of the Maccabiah thus far.