History of the Maccabi Games

The first North American JCC Maccabi Games® were held in 1982 with 300 athletes participating. Since then, the JCC Maccabi Games® have grown from a small pilot project in one host community to an Olympic-style sporting competition held each summer in multiple sites throughout North America. Today, more than 5,000 teens, ranging from 12 to 16 years of age, participate in the JCC Maccabi Games® each summer.

The combined Games are the largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world. Over 100,000 teens have benefited from the JCC Maccabi Games® since 1982. The energy and excitement make it a unique and unforgettable experience for every participant, from athletes to volunteers, from coaches to host families.

In August 2010, Denver will take its place in this history when the Robert E. Loup JCC host the Games.
The Games are co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Center Association of North America, Maccabi World Union, Maccabi Canada, and Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the JCC Maccabi Games®?
The JCC Maccabi Games® are an Olympic-style sporting competition held each summer in North America. It is the largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world. In addition to athletic competition, all athletes participate in a Day of Caring and Sharing that includes social action and service projects to benefit the local community.

Q. Why are the JCC Maccabi Games® being hosted in Denver 2010?
Each August over 5,000 Jewish athletes participate in the JCC Maccabi Games in different JCC host cities across the United States and Canada. The Robert E. Loup JCC was selected as a host for the 2010 Games.

Q. Who participates in this event?
Over 1,500 Jewish teen athletes will participate in the 2010 Denver JCC Maccabi Games®. 1,250 athletes will travel with their delegations from across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Israel, and Europe. They will be joined by 350+ athletes from all over Denver. The families of many of the out of town delegations travel to watch their athletes compete.

Q. How does an athlete become part of the 2010 Team Denver delegation?
Tryouts for the 2010 Team Denver delegation will be held in early 2010. The team sports are boy’s and girl’s basketball, boy’s and girl’s soccer, boy’s baseball, girl’s volleyball and co-ed flag football. The individual sports are tennis, swimming, bowling, golf, track and field. Athletes for the team sports must be between the ages of 13 and 16 as of July 31, 2010 while those for individual sports must be between the ages of 12 and 16, as of July 31, 2010. In addition, athletes must have at least one parent who is Jewish.

Q. Are there opportunities for teens who do not qualify nor wish to compete athletically?
Yes! 12 – 16 year old’s can serve as Star Reporters for the Daily Maccabi Newsletter during the Games. Those 17 years of age and older, can volunteer for various activities including being an assistant coach.

Q. Where do the events take place?
The Robert E. Loup JCC will be the hub for the games and the athletics will take place at 10 different venues across the city.

Q. Who organizes and runs the 2010 Denver JCC Maccabi Games®?
The success of the Games is dependent on the involvement of volunteers. Over 1,000 volunteers of all ages are needed to work with JCC staff to plan and execute these Games. 600 host families are needed to house the 1,250 visiting athletes during the week of the games. Therefore, the JCC Maccabi Team is reaching out to various Jewish organizations to help.