Let the JCC Maccabi Games Begin!
This summer, more than five thousand Jewish teens from all
over the U.S., Canada, Israel, Mexico, Great Britain, Poland,
Ukraine, and Venezuela will share in the fun of competing
and the pride of being part of a world-famous Olympic-style
event filled with Jewish content and values. The
host communities for the 2003 JCC Maccabi Games are: Houston,
TX and St. Louis, MO (August 10-15), and JCC on the Palisades,
Tenafly, NJ (August 17-20).
The JCC Maccabi Games have been offering a life- and personality-shaping
experience to Jewish teenagers since 1982. At this Jewish
mini-Olympiad, each participant has the chance to participate
in one of 13 sporting events, creating memories that will
last a lifetime. Over 100 delegations from JCCs will
be participating in the Games this year, which will involve
teens from their local communities. The Games help keep teens
involved in their JCC through ongoing programs.
The JCC Maccabi Games can be called the Olympics for Jewish
teens, but they serve a larger purpose than athletic competition.
The Games also promote community involvement, teamwork and
pride in being Jewish. For example, athletes visiting host
communities stay with local Jewish
families. This "home hospitality" is vital
to the experience, representing the extended Jewish family
and the value of welcoming the stranger. Also, every
set of Games has a volunteer day called Day of Caring/Day
of Sharing when athletes join with local community organizations
to work on social-action projects. Past Days of Caring/Days
of Sharing activities have included building homes for the
poor, holding carnivals for handicapped children, cleaning
empty parks and packaging food to be given to the hungry.
The purpose is to teach tikkun olam (repairing
the world) by example, so that these young people incorporate
these values into their daily lives once they return home.
The Opening Ceremonies at the Games include a memorial to
the 11 Israeli athletes killed by terrorists at the 1972 Olympics
in Munich, Germany. The tribute to the Munich 11 is even more
inspiring considering that no recent Games athletes were alive
when the Israeli Olympians were murdered. Memorializing
the Munich 11 encourages JCC Maccabians to remember the past,
look to the future, and strive to lead a full and active Jewish
life, both on and off the playing field.
Hang Time began in 2001 and has become an integral part of
the JCC Maccabi Games. At each Games site, in an area called
K'Far Maccabi or Maccabi Village, Israeli Hang-Time shlichim
(delegates or emissaries) lead activities that teach about
Israel, and Israeli and Jewish culture. From trivia games
to creative Jewish arts projects to taking a “tour”
of Israel on an enormous map, athletes and coaches can enjoy
Jewish experiences in a fun, relaxed environment.
There is even more. Interacting with delegations from around
the world, including Israel builds a sense of Klal Israel,
the unity of the Jewish community. Israeli sister cities send
athletes to participate alongside their American counterparts.
Music, signage, a Jewish atmosphere—all
contribute to the unique aura of the JCC Maccabi Games.
Over 70,000 teens have benefited from the JCC Maccabi Games
since 1982. With a lot of energy and excitement in the air,
the JCC Maccabi Games become a unique and unforgettable experience
for every participant. Over 2,000 generous families
will provide accommodations for thousands of athletes. More
than 1,000 coaches will volunteer their time and talent to
train and guide the participants throughout the Games. A
total of 16,000 volunteers will ensure that the weeklong event
runs smoothly.
JCC Association is the leadership network of,
and central agency for the Jewish Community Center Movement,
which is comprised of more than 275 JCCs, YM-YWHAs and camps
in the U. S. and Canada. JCC Association offers a wide range
of services and resources to strengthen the capacity of its
affiliates to provide educational, cultural, social, Jewish
identity-building, and recreational programs to enhance the
lives of North American Jews of all ages and backgrounds.
Additionally, the movement fosters and strengthens connections
between North American Jews and Israel as well as with world
Jewry. JCC Association is also the only U.S. government accredited
agency for serving the religious and social needs of Jewish
military personnel, their families, and patients in VA hospitals
through JWB Jewish Chaplains Council.
Rachel
Friedman
Marketing Associate
JCC Association
phone: 212-786-5096
fax: 212-481-4174
send an e-mail
www.jccmaccabi.org
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