History

Social Event: this one day international football tournament is the biggest yearly social event of the Dutch Jewish community and one of the main football tournaments of Amsterdam. Last year, it attracted 2,000 visitors and competitors from all over Western Europe, ranging in age from six to a 65 year old rabbi. It attracted 64 teams from Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Holland with entries ranging from Amsterdam’s kosher butcher shop to professional players and a Chasidic eleven. Please note: some of the English teams are successful Maccabi teams with a competitive edge to their game, however such teams are not suited to our tournament. Jom Ha Voetbal is a friendly social event for teams who are competing for fun and to enjoy the game of football.

Founded in 1980 by Reform Jew David Kleerekoper, (a director of Bols drinks company in Brazil), and an Orthodox Jew Osi Lilian, (an accountant. Four teams took part in the first competition.

Preserved from possible oblivion by Maurice de Hond and Philippe Rubens in 1987 who read of its impending demise in the Dutch Jewish newspaper.

Expanded over the past decade from 13 senior teams to around 60 senior and junior teams, made up of 750 players from Western Europe.

Tournament leader is Maurice de Hond, a director of one of Holland’s biggest publishing companies and a former Dutch League referee. The organizing committee consist of 8 members where the tournament leader can overrule the committee. The committee is under financial control of a treasury board.

The rules of the Maccabi-World-Federation and the Royal Dutch Football Association apply at Jom Ha Voetbal. This means that only teams with Jewish players and/or members of their families can compete. In order to lead a big one-day tournament some of the official football rules have been changed or adapted. Participation in the Jom Ha Voetbal means that the captain accepts full responsibility for his team to respect the Jom Ha Voetbal rules and to live up to them by fair play.

Biggest controversy came in 1994 when winners Yellow Boys and runner up B’nai B’rith were disqualified after fielding non-Jews. Their leaders were banned for three years. In 2000 Yellow Boys was banned definitely.

Attracts around 2.500 people, making it the Dutch Jewish community largest annual social gathering.

Costs 27,000 euro (2010)

Sponsored by Jewish companies and institutions