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JCC Maccabi Games Team Philadelphia Summer ’23 – Follow along!
JCC Maccabi Games® Team Philadelphia 2023 will be competing in Israel and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida this summer!
Stay up to date with our travels, experiences, and competitions here!
We are headed to Israel from July 5 – 25, and to Ft. Lauderdale from August 6 – 11.
Follow us on social media and read blog updates here! Facebook / Instagram
Team Philadelphia in the News!
(check out this article from the Jewish Exponent!)
View this profile on Instagram
Team Philadelphia Blog:
8/7/2023 – Team Philadelphia has arrived in Ft. Lauderdale!
It was amazing to see meet our delegation at the airport all decked out in Team Philadelphia and repping our city with “It’s a Philly Thing”. While we may have started the day tired, our energy amped up as we rode the buses to the Fort Lauderdale JCC.
When we arrived to the JCC, we visited hangtime, meet other athletes, attended our orientation, picked up fun swag from Fort Lauderdale and donated our Mitzvah Project Shoes. Then, we joined other athletes to participate in several of many JCC Cares projects, the JCCA Maccabi Games community service activities. Our Delegation participated in many different projects but some of the stand outs were packing new sneakers with notes for children in need. It was a really fun afternoon in which we felt the positive impact we were leaving on the Fort Lauderdale Community,
After JCC Cares, we met our Host Families and headed home with them. Our teens were super excited to meet roommates from our delegation and beyond as well as get to know their host families more. By the afternoon, everyone was ready to settle into their home for their week and enjoy a relaxing evening with their hosts and some much needed sleep before the tournaments begin early Monday morning.
Our next update will be Tuesday evening and for now, Lilah Tov from Fort Lauderdale.
– Barrie
7/9/23 – What a great first couple days!
We have met our teammates from other delegations, bonded as teams, had practice and celebrate Shabbat as Maccabi Mispacha (family). This morning, we began our first day of competition and it was fun. All of our teams and athletes play great today. Some highlights were Hockey and Baseball winning their first game 5-2, Boys Basketball winning a tight game 43 – 40. Soccer came from behind for a tie, Volleyball splitting their sets and tying as well. Swimming cleaned up with 8 medals and our girls’ tennis player won her first match.
After our first games, matches, and races, we all changed in our Team Philadelphia Swag and headed to the Haifa International Convention Center. We proudly presented Philadelphia during the parade of delegations and we were inspired by the lighting of the candles honor the athletes lost at the Munich Olympic Games.
Tyler S. said “it was amazing to see a Jewish Pro Basketball Player who was also an IDF solider on the stage at opening ceremonies,” and Sofia “ I met a lot of new people in our delegation and outside of it tonight. I also traded for a lot of cool pins.”
A reminder to check the JCC Maccabi Israel website to check on game times, track scores and more. Check out all of our photos on social media! (Find links above)
Lilah Tov from Haifa and Hadera!
– Barrie
7/5/23 – We are headed to Israel!
This trip marks the return of the JCC Maccabi Games to Israel after a decade-long hiatus, and I couldn’t be more proud to join our incredible 38 teen athletes and 5 coaches in representing Philadelphia at the games! Our delegation includes athletes competing in a range of sports such as Baseball, Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball, Ice Hockey, Boy’s Soccer, Swimming, and Tennis.
The next eight days will be filled with fierce competition as our athletes showcase their skills at the games. However, this journey extends far beyond the thrill of the competition. Following the games, we will have the incredible privilege of experiencing a two-week tour of Israel, allowing us to immerse ourselves in its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
Stay up to date on our travels here! We can’t wait to share our experiences!
– Barrie
