Dear Friends,
A week ago, the JCC Maccabi Games in Toronto and Kansas City came to a close, and we could not be more proud of our 160 incredible athletes who represented Team Philadelphia and the Kaiserman JCC. The JCC Maccabi Games are about so much more than sports. They are about building Jewish community, creating lifelong friendships, embracing Jewish identity, and giving our teens an experience they will carry with them for years to come.
This year, Team Philadelphia competed in the JCC Maccabi Games in both Kansas City and Toronto, with our athletes participating in nearly every JCC Maccabi sport, from baseball to basketball, soccer, swimming, ice hockey, dance, golf, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. We were especially excited to be a part of the inaugural girls ice hockey tournament, where our team brought home the bronze medal; welcome back the Philly Dance Team, which brought home an impressive seven medals; and have several Star Reporters who helped us capture and share the stories of the Games.
Hannah Hulnick, a 4-year Team Philadelphia soccer player and 4-time medalist, shared the following about her experience: “Whether you’re trading pins with an athlete from a country you have never heard of, sharing a host family dinner with a teammate from Toronto, or bonding with Israeli teens at evening events, Maccabi effortlessly turns the global Jewish community into a neighborhood, allowing you to see and feel the strength of the Jewish people. In my past 4 years with Maccabi, I have learned the importance of Judaism as a community other than just a religion, creating friendships with athletes and role models from our Team Philly staff. I still keep in touch with my best friends from the Tucson Games, communicating across 4 states and 2 countries on a weekly basis.”
Maggie Press, 1st-year Team Philadelphia dancer, gold medalist, and Diller Teen Fellows alumnus, summed up her experience in Toronto simply: “It was an impactful week filled with new friendships, exciting experiences, and great competition. It was awesome.” Kaylah Avraham, a 2-year Team Philadelphia soccer player and 2-time medalist, shared, “To me, Maccabi is a time of year where I get to meet Jewish people from around the world and unite as one.”
We are incredibly proud of what Team Philadelphia accomplished this year, and even more excited about what lies ahead. If your teen has been inspired and you would like to learn more about joining Team Philadelphia for the 2027 JCC Maccabi Games (for 13–17 year olds) or the 2027 Junior JCC Maccabi Games (for 9–12 year olds), please get in touch!
As we look forward to growing Team Philadelphia and the positive impact the Games have on our athletes and their families, we would love to hear from you if you’d like to get involved.
See highlights and stories from the week on our Team Philadelphia Facebook and Instagram.
Shabbat Shalom,
Barrie
Recent Comments