JCC Maccabi Games
JCC Maccabi 2025 is Going to Pittsburgh!
Join the Team!
Join 3,000 Jewish teen athletes from around the globe at the world’s largest Jewish youth sporting event. The JCC Maccabi Games offers Olympic-style sports competitions, including opening and closing ceremonies; travel; community service; social and cultural events; and opportunities to make friends and memories to last a lifetime.
Experience the magic of JCC Maccabi!
Pittsburgh JCC Maccabi Games and Access: August 3 – 8, 2025
Eligibility
JCC Maccabi® Games: 13- 17 years old.
Must be 13 on July 27, 2025, and 17 on August 8, 2025.
All athletes must be Jewish – defined as follows: One of the athletes parents is Jewish and the athlete is being raised Jewish or is a Jew by choice and is being raised Jewish. In the spirit of JCC Maccabi if the parent or child does not believe that they are Jewish on a year around basis, then the child should not participate in JCC Maccabi programs. In the athlete registration, there is a declaration that contains the eligibility requirements; both the athlete and his/ her parent(s) must sign this declaration.
Frequently Asked Questions
The JCC Maccabi Games are an international athletic competition for Jewish teenagers that runs like the Olympics. Athletes compete against Jewish teens from all over the United States and delegations from Israel, Great Britain, Mexico, Canada, and more. The Games focus on “rachmanus,” or sportsmanship, to foster long-lasting friendships, memories, and connections to Judaism and Israel.
This unique event is not only about being part of the Jewish people; it comes with a mission– to make the world a better place and make us better. We express these values or midot to help us remember the greater mission of the Games and Judaism. We emphasize Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Kavod (respect), Rina (joy), Ga’ava (pride), Lev Tov (big-hearted), and Amiut Yehudit (Jewish peoplehood). The Games also promote community involvement and teamwork. The Games are one of the largest Jewish teen events in the world; each summer, over 3,000 Jewish teens participate. Over 100,000 teens have benefited from the JCC Maccabi Games since 1982.
- Jewish Teens ages 13-17 throughout the games (August 3 – August 8, 2025).
- 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. In the spirit of the Games, if the parent or child does not believe that they are Jewish on a year-round basis, then the child should not participate in JCC Maccabi. The athlete’s online registration has a declaration containing the eligibility requirements; both the athlete and his/her parent(s) must sign this declaration.
- All athletes must have current medical insurance and up to date on all age-appropriate vaccines.
- Must have an active membership at the J through August.
Baseball, Basketball, Dance, Flag Football, Girls Volleyball, Golf, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track, Softball, Swimming and Star Reporter.
The competitive level of the participants will vary. Players can expect to play at least four games/matches throughout the week before tournament play begins on Wednesday. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to the top three winners. Although competitive, the JCC Maccabi Games emphasize the Rachmanus Rule, which is good sportsmanship and fair play. The experience is about more than just sports. It focuses on an all-around experience, including friends, community service, and social and educational activities.
Teens from across North America participate in JCC Maccabi, representing their ‘local’ delegation. Typically, this delegation represents their home city/local JCC, for example, Team Atlanta, Team Philadelphia, Team Toronto, etc. We are Team Houston.
A mixed team is comprised of athletes from multiple delegations. This is common and happens when a delegation does not have enough athletes to field a full team. Being on a mixed team can be a great experience and foster lasting friendships with Jewish teens worldwide!
Community Service is a key component of the JCC Maccabi Games experience. Each set of Games includes a JCC Cares project, where athletes step away from competition and workshops for a part of their day and work to improve the local community through activities like planting a community garden, bowling with adults with special needs, or doing art projects one-on-one with children from underserved communities.
Parents will be responsible for bringing their teens to/ from the Houston airport before and after the Games. The Delegation Head and coaches will supervise the teens throughout the week. The delegation will fly to Pittsburgh.
JCC Maccabi is an all-inclusive experience. Program fees include registration fees, transportation to and from the host community and during the Games, uniforms, Houston Maccabi swag, adult supervision and coaches, practices, meals, social events/team activities, and all other accommodations throughout the program.
Financial assistance is available to anyone who accepts a spot on a team and pays their deposit are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is March 3, 2025. Please email Hilary Most at hmost@erjcchouston.org to receive the financial aid application.
Registration and application procedures are associated with teen participation. Participants may only begin the registration process once they have paid their deposit. There are four steps in the registration process. Details for each of these steps are detailed below:
1. Obtain an Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Membership
2. Register for Maccabi with the JCC, which includes paying the $825 non-refundable deposit and setting up a payment plan for the program fee.
3. Register with the JCC Association
4. Medical Forms via CampDoc
Refunds on fees paid before May 1, 2025, may be made on a prorated basis contingent upon expenses such as local expenses and uniform costs paid to vendors at the time of the refund request. Fees paid to the JCCA are non-refundable. All refunds will be made at the discretion of Evelyn Rubenstein JCC. No refunds will be made after May 1, 2025 except for approved medical refunds. Travel expenses will be deducted from medical refund amounts.
Of course! There is a mandatory ratio of 1:8 adults to teens. Every athlete is assigned to a coach/chaperone, whether on a team, individual, or mixed team. Head coaches are all over 21 and have passed extensive background checks.
All teens will stay at the University of Pittsburgh dorms. You can request up to 3 roommates, but please note that these are requests, not guarantees.
Security is taken very seriously at the JCC Maccabi Games. Background checks are utilized for all adults involved, and all participants, spectators, coaches, host families, volunteers, etc., are required to wear a credential to access any JCC Maccabi facility. The host community also works closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Yes, all food served at the JCC Maccabi Games is kosher, and all activities will conclude before Shabbat. Delegations will return home on Friday before Shabbat.
No. Maccabi Central will only accept the JCC Maccabi Medical Form.
All athletes must be current on all vaccinations recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to participate in the JCC Maccabi Games. Athletes will have to show proof of vaccinations in CampDoc. Required vaccinations are:
- Tetanus Booster (Tdap)
- Meningococcal (MenHibrix or Menactra or Menveo)
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis A (HepA)
- Hepatitis B (HepB)
- Polio (IPV)
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
In the case of a medical emergency, the Delegation Head will act as the participant’s guardian and communicate with the parents to obtain any necessary treatment. Information such as the parent/guardian’s birth date and social security number is sometimes necessary to utilize insurance.
Yes! Parents, family members, and friends can attend the Games as spectators. A spectator pass gives access to the opening ceremony and sports events. No one who does not wear an approved credential will be admitted to a Games site. To register as a spectator, you will use the same website when registering your teen. Please note registration and fee deadlines and be aware of early bird prices. While we encourage families to consider attending to support their teens, the athletes have programs and activities for the entirety of their time at the Games and thus only see visitor’s courtside at sporting events. At no point during the week can spectators or parents remove the teens from the program or take them off-site for any reason.