The JCC Maccabi Games® is the largest Jewish youth event in the world. From August 2-7, 2015, our community will welcome over 1,000 visiting Jewish teens from across the globe and involve all of Greater Milwaukee, including 500 host families, 1,000 volunteers and 200 local teen athletes.
JCC Maccabi Games® kicked off in 1982 with a big mission. It was designed in order to: provide Jewish youth with a supportive environment that fosters mutual respect and sportsmanship, where they can interact in an atmosphere of fun, democracy, and peace; cultivate a deeper understanding and instill an appreciation of Jewish values within Jewish youth, enrich their Jewish identity in an informal setting, and encourage their identification with the state of Israel; promote and encourage the health, physical fitness and well-being of Jewish youth through participation in recreational and athletic activities; and introduce Jewish youth to the international Maccabi Movement, which presents athletic, cultural, and social opportunities with Jews from around the world.
A five day athletic competition and community event, the JCC Maccabi Games will open at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Sunday, August 2nd. Over the course of the week, athletes from around the world will compete in sports ranging from soccer to tennis to swimming and more. Along the way, they’ll experience Rachmanus (compassion) during the competition, Tikkun Olam (Repair the World) during the community action projects known as “JCC Cares”, and Amiut Yehudit (Jewish Peoplehood) during unique experiences that strengthen their connection to each other, their communities, and Israel.
Milwaukee last proudly hosted the Games in 1997 – but the opportunity to create a lasting community experience has never been greater. Together, we’ll build an experience that transcends the Games – one that strengthens our entire Jewish community, empowers our next generation of leaders, and celebrates our values and traditions.
Whether an athlete, a host, a volunteer, or a donor –
we need you to GET IN THE GAMES!