More Information

Related Resources

Akron JCC Maccabi Games

Akron hosted the 2008 JCC Maccabi Games, an annual international Olympic-style, athletic, cultural and social event Aug. 11 through Aug. 15 that brought more than 400 Jewish athletes from 24 delegations to the city. Delegations came from all over the United States and two international delegations from Hungary and Israel.

The Akron JCC Maccabi Games included basketball, soccer, tennis, bowling and track and field. Competitions took place at venues throughout the Akron area including the Shaw JCC, Firestone High School, Copley High School, Copley Soccer Complex, Good Park Golf Course, Mud Run Golf Course and Stonehedge.

The JCC Maccabi Games are a chance for fun and competition, but emphasize history also. The opening ceremonies at Rhodes Arena at The University of Akron on Aug. 11 included a tribute to the 11 Israeli Olympians murdered at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.

The JCC Maccabi Games strive to teach teens the value of “tikkun olam,” the Hebrew phrase for “repairing the world.” That value took center stage during the Games’ Day of Caring and Sharing on Aug. 13. Over 400 athletes participated in a community service project that is as a way to give back to the host community. Athletes participated in four different community projects in Akron. More than 150 of the Maccabi athletes did landscaping outside the Lock 3 Park building, painted walls and hung paintings inside, and painted the columns that support the State Street bridge with designs created by local artist Todd Volkner. Another 100 Maccabi athletes were taken to four Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority buildings — Fowler Apartments, Belcher senior living center and the two Saferstein towers — to provide companionship and exercise programs for the residents. Still other Maccabi athletes went to Camp Y-Noah in Green, where they worked to improve trails and build a bog, and to Rex Lake Camp in New Franklin, where they participated in sports, cooking and arts and crafts with campers with special needs.

The 2008 JCC Maccabi Games were a huge success. The games were a chance for the kids to have fun and meet new people but also to bring our community together. Thanks to all volunteers, community partners and sponsors for the 2008 JCC Maccabi Games - We could not have done it without you!!!!


Press coverage from the Akron Beacon Journal and West Side Leader availabe for download.


The Akron JCC Maccabi Games welcomed athletes from:
Baltimore
Boca Raton
Charleston
Chicago
Cleveland
Columbus
Dallas
Dayton
Durham/Chapel Hill
Greater Palm Beach
Greater Washington
Houston
Miami
Miami Beach
Milwaukee
Orlando
Osher Marin
Philadelphia
San Jose
Southern New Jersey
Toledo
Israel
Hungary