San Diego JCC Maccabi Games

 By Sharon Lomayesva

     Every year during the summer, the Maccabi games are hosted by Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) in three U.S. cities for Jewish teens ages 13 to 16.  The JCC Maccabi games are the “Jewish Junior Olympics” where each participant must have one Jewish parent.  This year’s West coast location for the Maccabi Games was the JCC in La Jolla and held August 3rd to 7th.  Jewish teens from 41 cities across the U.S., as well as from Mexico and Israel participated.

    Our oldest daughter, Natalie (16), participated in swimming and our son, Daniel (13), participated in the 14-and-under baseball team for San Diego.  We also hosted two girls (swimmers) from Atlanta.  Overall, the Maccabi games experience was fabulous and well worth it!

     The games included an Opening Ceremony at Cox Arena where all the 1500 Jewish teen athletes and 3500 spectators saw performances that included skateboarders and BMX riders doing incredible flips, a speech from the mayor of San Diego and his wife, musical performances by children and teens, a Jewish gospel singer, and the parade of the athletes.

      The next four days were filled with athletic competition followed by fun activities such as going to Sea World, the beach, and a dance party on the USS Midway.  The kids also did community service, as well as hanging out with the other teens doing organized activities.  All the athletes received uniforms, tee shirts, warm ups, and sports bags specific to their cities, which they eagerly traded with the teens from other cities.  They also had pins for their cities, which they traded.

      Natalie swam in 12 swim races and was fortunate to medal in ten races that included a first place in the 100 yard breastroke.  Daniel’s baseball team was terrific and Daniel played well.  His team won their first three games but then lost to Mexico in the playoffs.  The quality of the playing was excellent and was better than the travel team that Daniel played on during the past year!

    Both Natalie and Daniel made new friends during the Maccabi games.  During the past few years, they have interacted with very few Jewish athletes while participating in their sports.  So, being around lots of talented and cool Jewish teen athletes was a very positive experience for them.

    The Maccabi games are a wonderful, enriching experience that all Jewish teens should get to participate in.  There are lots of sports such as tennis, basketball, flag football, dance, volleyball, soccer, bowling, ping pong, golf, swimming, and baseball.  For more information just go to the San Diego JCC website at www.lfjcc.org click on “Teens” followed by “JCC Maccabi Games.”  There is also a national website at www.JCCMaccabigames.org.