Latest news with #JCCMaccabiGames
CBS News
05-08-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
JCC Maccabi Games back in Pittsburgh for first time since 1997
The JCC Maccabi Games, the largest Jewish youth event in the world, is happening in Pittsburgh this week. Thousands of teen athletes and families are in town for the massive event. It's been 28 years since Pittsburgh hosted the event, which runs through Friday. "We've got nearly 2,000 athletes from 51 different locations around the world. So, North America, plus Ukraine, Israel, Mexico, Great Britain, Argentina, and Poland," said Jason Kunzman, president & CEO of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. The University of Pittsburgh is playing host to the massive event, which had its opening ceremony on Monday night. The games were established in 1982, and the 2025 games are the first for participants to stay and compete on a college campus. Kunzman said the games are made up of 10 different Olympic-style sports competitions. "Ranging from tennis and volleyball and swimming and basketball and soccer, table tennis, and then we also have dance competition, and something very unique called star reporters, where folks who are interested in actually covering games through a multitude of different vehicles are also afforded the opportunity to participate as well," he said. The young athletes learn the values of teamwork, integrity and community service. Close to 900 volunteers are helping on Pitt's campus and at other events around the Pittsburgh area. "All over the city right now, we've got volunteers in basically every vertical. From transportation from food service to sports to security to logistics, just moving the kids in and out of the doors, to just being friendly faces and welcoming people to our city," said David Lavine, co-chair of the JCC Maccabi Games. The purpose of the games goes beyond sports. The games also instill Jewish values and cultural pride. "It's a difficult and challenging time for the Jewish community so bringing lots of young people together to have a sense of Jewish pride, and their identity, and heritage, and let their families feel that and the volunteers, it's just a great moment for us to bring the Jewish comunity together," said Barak Hermann, president & CEO of the JCC Association. "Here at the JCC Maccabi Campus Games, it's pure celebration. It's time to remember what we're about, to focus on the values that bind us together, and to really celebrate," Kunzman said. The Maccabi games also took place in Tucson, Arizona, last week.
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
JCA Jacksonville team competes in national Maccabi Games August 3–8
Jewish athletes from Jacksonville are heading to Pittsburgh to compete in the JCC Maccabi Games from August 3 to 8. The Jewish Community Alliance (JCA) Jacksonville Maccabi Games team includes 34 Jewish teenagers competing in various sports. These young athletes will compete for gold in basketball, hockey, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, and baseball. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The JCC Maccabi Games® is the largest Jewish youth event in the world, bringing together thousands of Jewish teens and families for a week of sports, recreation, and programs instilled with Jewish values. Eli Kuvin, a swimmer participating in his third JCC Maccabi Games, expressed excitement about the competition, saying, 'I love just being in the water – it is nice, especially when it is hot outside.'Kuvin added, 'This competition will be a chance to compete against other Jewish athletes on a smaller level before I go to Israel.' The JCC Maccabi Games were established in 1982 and aim to instill cultural pride, health, fitness, wellness, teamwork, integrity, and more. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Eli Kuvin was training to swim with Team USA at the Maccabiah Games in Israel this summer until conflict in the Middle East postponed the event. Kuvin believes his training will pay off in Pittsburgh and prepare him for future competitions in Israel. The JCA Jacksonville team includes athletes such as Noam Akilov, Romy Akilov, Judah Algee, Talia Algee, Chloe Anders, DJ Becker, Micah Bozoff, and many others. Social media will be used to follow and cheer for the JCA athletes, with hashtags #JCCMaccabiPitt and #WeAreMaccabi. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
