Max Nordau was an early Zionist thinker who promoted the idea of the "Muscular Jew" to counter the stereotype of weak European Jews. He advocated for Jewish sports leagues, which took inspiration from the Maccabees and began using "Maccabi" in their names. Zionist posters from 1930-1950 depicted muscular Jews, and modern Israel has embraced physical strength and fitness, building successful armed forces and gaining global respect, partly fulfilling Nordau's vision.

1. Israel, New Jew, Max Nordau, the
Maccabi Games, and Chanukah
Rabbi Arnold D. Samlan

2. MAX NORDAU
• Early Zionist thinker and
leader
• Created idea of Muscular
Jew
• Fought against the
stereotype of the
European Jew

3. European Jewish Stereotype, defined
by Nazis, past and present

4. The Maccabees and the Maccabi
Games
• Taking their philosophical lead from Nordau,
Jewish sports leagues sprang up across Europe
in the early 1900’s
• Nordau and others looked to biblical
characters such as King David and to post-
biblical characters, such as Maccabees for
inspiration
• Sports clubs began to use the name Maccabi

5. The New Muscular Jew Appears in
Zionist Posters 1930 - 1950

7. Result
Modern Israel:
• Revived Jewish agriculture
• Built armed forces
• Created respect for sports and fitness
(curiously enough, a Hellenistic value)
• Gained world respect for physical and military
strength