October 19, 2020 -
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JCC Maccabi Games

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JCC Association has decided to suspend the traditional JCC Maccabi Games® and ArtsFest® in 2021. Please see below for more information:

To our Philly JCC Maccabi Family,

We would like to share with you part of the letter we recently received from the JCC Association of North America regarding the 2021 JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest. 

As part of our commitment to transparency and to keeping you informed about JCC Maccabi®, a signature event of JCC Association of North America, after much thoughtful deliberation, JCC Association has decided to suspend the traditional JCC Maccabi Games® and ArtsFest® in 2021.

The lay and professional leadership of JCC Association and the JCC Maccabi Games® carefully considered many factors before reaching this difficult conclusion. In addition to the public health concerns associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, those factors included the logistical issues and financial obligations that the host communities and delegations must meet well in advance of the 2021 Games. 

Although this “pause” results from unfortunate circumstances beyond our control, we intend to use this valuable time to undertake timely strategic planning for JCC Maccabi®  as we know this process will lead to a bright future for this longtime, beloved program—and to an outstanding JCC Maccabi® program in 2022 and beyond.

Thank you for your continued commitment to JCC Maccabi®, your understanding in these challenging times, and your patience. We appreciate them all.  

The cancellation of the Games and ArtsFest due to COVID-19 comes as no surprise, but disappointing nonetheless.  As soon as we hear of plans for 2022, we will eagerly share them with you.  In the meantime, we hope you are all staying healthy and safe.

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JCC Maccabi Games | For Jewish Athletes Ages 13-16
The JCC Maccabi Games® are an Olympic-style sporting competition held each summer in North America and is the second largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world. The Maccabi Movement began in 1895 when the first all-Jewish sports club was formed in Constantinople. The first world Maccabiah Games were held in Israel in 1932. Now, this two week competition takes place every four years and has featured many world class Jewish athletes including: Mark Spitz (swimming), Mitch Gaylord (gymnastics), Ernie Grunfeld and Danny Schayes (basketball), Brad Gilbert and Dick Savitt (tennis).
The first North American JCC Maccabi Games® were held in 1982 with 300 athletes. Due to overwhelming interest, Regional Games were added in 1985 to augment the even-year Continental Games. 1997 marked the first time that the Games were held simultaneously in six American cities with 4,400 participating athletes. Since their inception in 1982, the Games have grown from a small pilot project in one host community to an Olympic-style sporting competition held each summer in multiple sites throughout North America. The JCC Maccabi Games are the largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world.
Today, over 6,000 teens, ranging from 13 to 16 years of age, participate in the JCC Maccabi Games® each summer. The Games are co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Center Association of North America, Maccabi World Union, Maccabi Canada, and Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel.

Mid-Atlantic Mini & Junior Games | For Jewish Athletes Ages 9-12 
The Mid-Atlantic Mini and Junior Maccabi Games is a one-day sports competition for Jewish athletes ages 9-12. Athletes from JCCs across the Mid-Atlantic region compete each spring, and this is a great way for kids to experience the JCC Maccabi Games on a smaller scale prior to participating in the “big games”. There will be two age brackets: a 9-10 bracket and an 11-12 bracket.

For More Information:
Contact Emily Einhorn, Maccabi Delegation Head
eeinhorn@phillyjcc.com or 610-896-7770 x125