On your mark, get set, Maccabi

When talking about the Maccabi games, United States Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin once said, “Being Jewish did not make us better athletes, but the bonds we formed during the games we played did help make us better Jews.”

Created to promote community service, sportsmanship, and religious pride, the JCC Maccabi Games are a week-long Olympic-style event for young athletes aged 13-16. Held in different locations throughout the United States every summer, the games generate enthusiasm and excitement for everyone involved, from young athletes and volunteers to coaches and host families.

This summer, the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit will host the 2014 JCC Maccabi Games & ArtsFest for the fifth time – the only city that has ever held the event that many times. From August 17-22, the Motor City will welcome more than 1,500 visiting Jewish teens from across the globe and involve thousands of members from their own community, including 800 host families, 1,000 volunteers and 350 teen athletes and artists.

But it’s much more than just a week of sports and the arts. Participation is also cultural and social, intended to strengthen one’s personal connection to his or her own Judaism. Teen athletes/artists partake in competitions, community service projects, rousing social events, and best of all — everyone is Jewish!

Last summer, 15 teenage delegates from greater Rhode Island joined other Jewish teenagers from around the globe in Orange County, Calif. to participate in the 2013 JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest. Although R.I. does not garner as large a number of representatives as more populous states, participants are quick to point out that the R.I. community spirit is like no other.

“The greater Rhode Island team may be one of the smallest,” said Providence resident Julia Keizler, age 14, “but we [have] a strong bond. We work hard all year fundraising and training. By the time August hits, we have grown into a real team.”

Each year Shannon Boucher, Director of Children’s Programs for the Alliance JCC, recruits additional delegates. “We are still looking for more teens to join our team traveling to Detroit and registration is open now through April.”

The JCC Macabbi games is an experience like no other,” said Keizler. “It is something every Jewish teen should get to do at least once. Not only do you get to use your competitive spirit to bond with other Jewish teenagers from around the country, you get to build a stronger relationship with other teens in your community by traveling and competing.”

Natalie Westrick, age 14 of Lincoln agrees. “I was very excited to meet and compete against other Jewish swimmers my age. Not only did I meet a lot of new people and friends from around the world, I also built very strong relationships and friendships with the people in my delegation who are from the Rhode Island Jewish community.”

The intention of the Maccabi Games & ArtsFest is to help each athlete or artist improve his/her skills and become the best he/she can be. Although Westrick did not win any medals, she beat many of her personal-best swim times. “In addition, I had the amazing opportunity to meet Jason Lezak who is a four-time Olympic gold medalist [swimmer], who happens to be Jewish and from the Orange County area.”

Maccabi Games & ArtsFest is also is about camaraderie, making friends and building community. “After going to the JCC Maccabi Games last year, I realized what a strong group of Jews we have in Providence and all around the country,” said Keizler.

Westrick adds, “I am very excited to see the friends I made last year. I have talked to many of them and the majority of them are going back this year. I also can’t wait to meet more new people and build even stronger friendships. Hopefully I will swim additional best times and win some medals.”

When asked what message she’d want to give other Jewish teens in the greater Rhode Island Jewish community, Keizler summed it up well, “So, I ask you to come and join us. Learn for yourself how powerful our Jewish culture is. Join our team and learn and grow as I did through Maccabi.”

KARA MARZIALI is the Director of Communications at the Jewish Alliance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest, contact Shannon Boucher, Director of Children’s Programing at 401-421-4111, ext. 147 or sboucher@jewishallianceri.org.