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).

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE GAMES?
For 2026, Jewish teens between the ages of 13-17 years (teens must be born between August 6, 2009-August 2, 2013). 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. Participants must have current medical insurance and be up to date on all age-appropriate vaccines as per CDC guideline. We support and affirm all aspects of our athletes identities. Teens are permitted to participate in the sport/division with which their gender identity aligns or they feel most comfortable.

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 must stay in the Maccabi system throughout the duration of the event, which means living with a host family, traveling by Maccabi bus to game and event locations, and being dropped off and picked up by their host family. Any athlete who does not follow the rules will be removed immediately from competition.

2026 KANSAS CITY MACCABI GAMES 

We are heading to the heartland for the Kansas City Maccabi Games, August 2-7, 2026! Sports offered include boys baseball; boys and girls basketball; boys and girls soccer; coed dance, flag football, swimming, and tennis; girls softball and volleyball; and star reporter (photography, social media, and videography).

To participate as part of Sid Jacobson JCC’s delegation, athletes must live on Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, or Manhattan. Athletes are required to travel with the full delegation to the games, they cannot arrive later to Kansas City from another sports tournament and if they are in sleepaway camp, they will need to leave prior to attend the games from start to finish.

We are exploring options to do a pre-Shabbat weekend in Kansas City to bring everyone in our delegation together, see the sights in the city, and share Shabbat and Havdalah dinners. For the pre-weekend, all athletes and staff would fly out to Kansas City on Friday, July 31. Hotel accommodations would be provided until the games begin on Sunday, August 2. 

2026 INTEREST FORM

MINI & JUNIOR MACCABI GAMES

Ages: 9-12 years (as of August 1, 2025)
The Mid-Atlantic Games are for athletes ages 9-12 years. Information on the May 3, 2026 games in Philadelphia will be available in the fall.

2026 MINI & JUNIOR MACCABI 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.

If you are interested in more information for the 2026 Access Games, please email Alyson Goodman, agoodman@sjjcc.org.