Maccabi Games

MACCABI GAMES

Be a part of something that’s larger than life with the JCC Maccabi Games! The Maccabi Games offer a unique social, cultural, and life-shaping experience. They serve a larger purpose than athletic competition — they promote community involvement, teamwork, and pride in being Jewish. This Olympic-style experience offers sports competitions, opening and closing ceremonies, community service projects, events, and the opportunity for teens to create connections, friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime! The game emphasize 6 Jewish values, Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Kavod (respect), Rina (joy), Ga’ava (pride), Lev Tov (big hearted), and Amiut Yehudit (Jewish peoplehood).

Sports offered at the games include boys baseball, boys and girls basketball, coed dance, coed flag football, coed ice hockey, boys and girls soccer, coed swimming, coed table tennis, coed tennis, girls volleyball, and new for 2025, girls softball and coed track!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE GAMES?
Jewish teens between the ages of 13-17 years (teens must be born between August 9, 2007-August 2, 2012). All athletes must be Jewish, which is defined as follows: one of the athlete’s parents is Jewish and the athlete is being raised Jewish or is a Jew by choice and is being raised Jewish.  All athletes must have current medical insurance and be up to date on all age-appropriate vaccines as per CDC guideline.

Being a part of Maccabi is more than just the week of the games. Athletes will attend meetings, practices, and team events before and during the Maccabi Games. Please note, if the athlete attends sleep away camp, they will be required to leave camp to attend the Maccabi Games from start to finish.

Athletes are required to travel with the full delegation to the Maccabi Games and stay in the Maccabi system throughout the duration of the event. Any athlete who does not follow the rules will be removed from competition.

2025 PITTSBURGH MACCABI GAMES 

Ages: 13-17 years (teens must be born between August 9, 2007-August 2, 2012)
For 2025, our delegation will be taking part in Maccabi’s first-ever campus games at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, August 3-8! Please note, all athletes will be housed in dorms on the university’s campus, there will be no outside host families or hosting options for families to house their child.

Recruitment is officially open for Team LI Jacobson! Please fill out the interest form below if you would like to join us this summer. You’ll be added to our email list where tryout schedules will be shared for early winter 2024-25 for team sports and more information will be shared on individual sports.

The all-inclusive cost per athlete is $2,650 for 2025 and a $650 deposit is required to secure their spot as part of our delegation.

2025 MACCABI GAMES INTEREST FORM  MACCABI GAMES FAQS

TRYOUT SCHEDULE

15U BOYS SOCCER
Ages: 13-15 years
Sunday, January 26, 11:45-12:45am

17U BOYS BASKETBALL
Ages: 15-17 years
Sunday, March 2, 12-1:15pm

15U BOYS BASKETBALL
Ages: 13-15 years
Sunday, March 2, 1:30-2:45pm

If you are interested in participating in boys 15U baseball and 17U soccer, girls basketball, soccer, and volleyball, or a co-ed sport, please email Alyson Goodman, agoodman@sjjcc.org for more information.

MINI & JUNIOR MACCABI GAMES

Ages: 9-12 years (as of August 1, 2025)
The Mid-Atlantic Games are for athletes ages 9-12 years. The 2025 Games will take at the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill, New Jersey on Sunday, May 4. The one-day tournament includes an Opening Ceremony prior to competition. Athletes are provided lunch as well as a t-shirt to wear throughout their games. Transportation is not provided to the games, and it is recommended that families are in Cherry Hill the night before since the day begins early in the morning.

For 2025, the following sports will be offered: boys baseball, boys and girls basketball, coed esports, coed pickleball, boys and girls soccer, coed swimming, coed tennis, coed track.

New for 2025, an inclusive experience will also be offered for neurodivergent athletes in esports, swimming, and track.

Cost per athlete for 2025 is $190 members / $240 nonmembers. Please note, this does not include transportation to Cherry Hill or a hotel room for the family.

TRYOUT SCHEDULE

BOYS SOCCER
Ages: 9-12 years
Sunday, January 26, 12:45-1:45pm

If you have any questions about the Mini & Junior Maccabi Games, please contact Alyson Goodman, agoodman@sjjcc.org.

2025 MINI & JUNIOR MACCABI GAMES INTEREST FORM

ACCESS GAMES

Ages: 12-22 years

The Access Games are for Jewish individuals with special needs that takes place during the Maccabi Games.

Access athletes, with 1:1 support (parent, family member, caregiver, or friend), will participate in athletic skill development and competition, opening and closing ceremonies, community service projects, and social activities. The program offers an inclusive and meaningful way for Access athletes to join thousands of their Jewish peers from around the world.

To ensure Access participants and their families successfully integrate into the JCC Maccabi Games and activities, JCC Association and SJJCC will offer ways for the athletes to connect with their delegation and meet other Access participants prior to the Games.