The JCC Maccabi Campus Games

This week’s message is written by Rachael Speck, Chief Program & Innovation Officer and Maccabi Games Supervisor

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost a year since we first started exploring the possibility of hosting the inaugural JCC Maccabi Campus Games.  When we began, we had so many questions swirling around in our minds – Did our community have the resources and capacity to pull off such a large-scale event?  Would enough of our own local Jewish athletes even be interested in participating?  And perhaps the most pressing was, is it the right time to be organizing such a significant Jewish event on a college campus, especially during in the current environment of rising antisemitism and ongoing tensions surrounding the war in Israel.  And of course, would the University of Pittsburgh be opening to partnering with us?

Fast forward one year, and I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey it’s been so far.  What a difference a year can make!  As we now stand proudly preparing to host the 43rd annual JCC Maccabi Games, which will take place from August 3-8, 2025, we already have much to celebrate and look forward to.

To date, we’ve raised over $3 million to fund the Games – an achievement that reflects not just financial support, but the enthusiasm and belief our community has in the importance of this event.  And perhaps even more exciting, we have 116 athletes registered as part of the Team Pittsburgh delegation.  We have an additional 16 athletes joining Team Pittsburgh from our Partnership2Gether cities Karmiel/Misgav, Israel and Warsaw, Poland, thanks to generous funding from the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.  The momentum keeps building, and there is a tremendous sense of pride as we prepare to welcome Jewish athletes from around the world to our city this summer.

Thanks to our incredible partners at the University of Pittsburgh, the 2025 inaugural JCC Maccabi Campus Games® will be the first for participants ages 13-17 to stay and compete on a college campus.  Athletes will use campus housing and facilities, with Pitt as the hub for sports, social and Jewish cultural events.  Other venues we are partnering with include Carnegie Mellon University, Shady Side Academy, No Offseason Sports Complex, Ice Castle Arena and PNC Park.

As we move closer to the Games, we continue to ask ourselves questions, but they’ve shifted from doubt to excitement and anticipation: How will we create an experience that will leave a lasting impact on every individual involved in the Games?  How can we ensure that our teens feel the full sense of pride that comes with representing their community, and with being the host community?  And most importantly, how can we build on the momentum we’ve gained over the past year to make this event one for the history books?

This monumental community endeavor requires the commitment of close to 1,500 volunteers, giving of their time and energy, allowing Jewish teenage participants to engage in athletic competitions, community service projects and social events over the course of a five-day experience.  Lifelong friendships and connections are created, not only for the teen athletes, but for the adult volunteers as well.

We hope that you will consider participating in a meaningful volunteer capacity for this once-in-a-lifetime community-wide event.  Numerous volunteer options are available for individuals ages 18+ and there is a volunteer position to meet every person’s area of interest. You can learn more about the many available volunteer opportunities by visiting the JCC Maccabi Campus Games website HERE.   

The JCC Maccabi Campus Games is a celebration of our entire community, working together to strengthen our identity, engaging participants and volunteers of all ages and building a foundation for the future.  We look forward to having as many of our community members as possible come together to make this happen.

It’s been a year of planning, learning, and growing. And as we prepare for the Games, we couldn’t be more grateful for the unwavering support and dedication of everyone involved.  I have no doubt that when we look back on the Maccabi Games of August 2025, we will all be able to say this was a journey worth taking.

Shabbat Shalom, Rachael Speck