Learn all about The JCC Maccabi Campus Games 2025 HERE
After Iran war forces Maccabiah delay, JCC Maccabi Games welcome teens from US delegation
Over 3,000 teens will attend the events in Tucson, Ariz., and Pittsburgh — more than 60% of whom aren’t connected to other Jewish programs or organizations
By Jay Deitcher, ejewishphilanthropy.com
July 23, 2025
Cooper Lee, a 14-year-old swimmer from San Francisco, was set to be one of the more than 500 Jewish American athletes to compete in the 22nd Maccabiah Games this month in Israel. Then, just weeks before the international competition was to kick off, the war in Iran began.
Lee, who was to be part of the USA delegation, saw the writing on the wall. “We were kind of expecting it,” he told eJewishPhilanthropy of the eventual postponement of the Maccabiah Games until next year. “Which is unfortunate.”
It was going to be Lee’s first time in Israel, and he’d crowdfunded almost $10,000 for a nearly monthlong trip. Though disappointed, he knew where to turn.
Read the story HERE
JNS: JCC Games set to take place in Tucson and Pittsburgh
Some 3,000 Jewish teen athletes are expected to gather in the US between July 27 and August 8 for the largest Jewish youth sports event in the world.
July 24, 2025
At a time when Jewish identity around the world—especially in the United States—has been challenged more than ever, the 43rd JCC Maccabi Games come at a very welcome time.
Ever since they were first hosted by the hosted by Jewish Community Center Association of North America in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1982, the JCC Games have become a staple of Jewish teen life. This year, some 3,000 Jewish teen athletes are set to converge on Tucson, Arizona, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the largest Jewish youth sports event in the world.
Read the story HERE
The Jewish Chronicle (Great Britain):
University challenge – Team Maccabi GB head to campus in hunt for JCC Games medals
June 18, 2025 08:08
Read the story HERE
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TribLIVE.com | Pittsburgh to host JCC Maccabi Games in 2025
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh will serve as host for the inaugural JCC Maccabi Campus Games next summer at Pitt.
The JCC Maccabi Games are the world’s largest in-person Jewish youth sporting event, and more than 6,000 participants from JCC communities around the world are expected to attend.
“The JCC Maccabi mission complements our movement’s continental approach to teen engagement, offering Jewish youth a supportive environment that fosters mutual respect and healthy competition and where they can interact in an atmosphere of sportsmanship, peoplehood and celebration,” JCC President and CEO Jason Kunzman said in a statement.
“We couldn’t imagine better community partners than our friends at the University of Pittsburgh and a collection of regional civic, corporate and government leaders working together with our remarkable Jewish community to make this dream a reality.”
Athletes will live, eat and compete on the Pitt campus in an Olympic-style atmosphere.
“This model offers top-notch facilities and a transformative experience for Jewish teen athletes from all over the world while enabling hundreds more to experience the magic of JCC Maccabi than has been possible in its 40-year history,” said Samantha Cohen, senior vice president and director of JCC Maccabi at JCC Association of North America.
In addition to the competitions, athletes will engage in volunteer and community support experiences through JCC Cares, the service arm of the JCC Maccabi that highlights the value of tikkun olam (repairing the world).
All people are invited to come and watch with JCC Macabi. Over the next several months, JCC of Greater Pittsburgh will look to connect with the communities in the city of Pittsburgh to bring excitement for the event among everyone.
The Games are a partnership between JCC Association of North America, Maccabi World Union, Maccabi Canada and Maccabi USA.
PHOTO: SHANE DUNLAP | TRIBLIVE The bronze panther sculpture is seen outside the William Pitt Union with the Cathedral of Learning in the background on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023 at the University of Pittsburgh campus in Oakland.
PITTSBURGH — A large athletic event will be coming to Pittsburgh next summer in the form of the Jewish Community Center (JCC)’s annual Maccabi Games. This weeklong event will host Jewish teenagers from around the world, where they will complete in a slate of individual and team-based athletic events.
The University of Pittsburgh will host the over 6,000 youth, families and coaches, who will be staying on a campus for the first time in the Games’ history. Having participants live, eat and compete on campus in an “Olympic-style atmosphere,” instead of staying with host families, will remove the capacity constraints of the last few years, according to a release.
“This model offers top-notch facilities and a transformative experience for Jewish teen athletes from all over the world while enabling hundreds more to experience the magic of JCC Maccabi than has been possible in its 40-year history,” said Samantha Cohen, senior vice president and director of JCC Maccabi at JCC Association of North America.
Click here to read more from our partners at the Pittsburgh Business Times.
JCC Maccabi Games to be hosted by Pittsburgh next summer – Pittsburgh Business Times (bizjournals.com)
