A Celebration of Sports, Friendship, and Jewish Identity

This summer, more than 2,000 Jewish teens aged 13-17, representing over 50 delegations from North America, Europe, Latin America, and Israel came together for the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games – the largest annual Jewish sporting event in North America since 1982. This Olympic-style week of competition, connection, and Jewish pride is a joint project of JCC Association and Maccabi World Union, in partnership with Maccabi USA and Maccabi Canada.

This year, the Games took place in Tucson, Arizona (July 27–Aug 1) and in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Aug 3–8). For the first time ever, Pittsburgh hosted the event on a university campus, with teens and coaches living and competing in a special “Olympic Village” at the University of Pittsburgh.

Israel was represented by delegations from multiple Maccabi clubs, including basketball teams from Ramat Gan, Kiryat Motzkin, and Bat Yam, as well as participants from "Otef Israel" (Sha'ar HaNegev and Etzba HaGalil) in swimming and dance. The Girls’ basketball team from Ramat Gan achieved a notable result, earning the bronze medal in Tucson.

In addition to competing, Maccabi Israel facilitated the participation of delegations from around the world, including Mexico, Argentina, the United Kingdom, Moldova, Poland, and Ukraine, making the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games a truly international celebration.

Maccabi Israel also led the educational programming, running activities that deepened Jewish identity, strengthened global connections, and highlighted the State of Israel at the center of the experience.

Throughout the week, athletes competed in dozens of sports – from basketball, soccer, and baseball to swimming, ice hockey, and tennis — while also joining meaningful educational activities and community service projects. Teens took part in the "Hangtime" program led this year by our incredible shlihim – Dean Aseef, Daniela Ironi, Lee Naftali, Yuval Alon and Tal Maymon, as well as Jewish learning, tikkun olam missions, mitzvot experiences, and Shabbat celebrations that deepened their connection to Jewish identity.

The opening ceremonies featured a vibrant parade of delegations and a powerful call for solidarity with the hostages still held in Gaza, with the stands displaying the message BRING THEM HOME NOW.

Special guests made the experience even more exciting, leading inspiring workshops and sharing stories of resilience and love of Israel. Among them were Olympic Israeli judo champion Ori Sasson; a singer, social media star and Maccabiah 2026 official ambassador Montana Tucker, known for her passionate advocacy for Israel and against antisemitism; French-Israeli UFC fighter Natan Levy; Nova Festival survivor and performer DJ Artifex, and many others. 

 

The teens’ reactions reflected the impact of the Games: '"There’s so much pride in being Jewish and representing my community through sport"; "I’ve met Jewish friends for life from all over the world"; "Maccabi feels like home, like family. I came last year, this year, and I’ll be back again next year!".

As always, this summer's Games were an exceptional success, showcasing the strength, unity, and spirit of the next generation of Jewish leaders. Kol hakavod to the organizers, volunteers, and athletes who made it all possible!