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The Maccabi Games: Why They Matter to Me

Writer's picture: Mark RosenmanMark Rosenman


Let me be honest: I am not what most would call deeply religious. I believe all religions stem from a foundation of doing the right thing, and I find value in diversity and learning about other people's traditions. I’ll also confess that I hated Hebrew school, and to be fair, my kids hated it too. So, who am I to stand here and extol the virtues of the Maccabi Games? Maybe I’m the perfect person. Perhaps because of my less conventional relationship with faith, I can appreciate what the Maccabi Games offer beyond religion. They provide a sense of belonging, a shared experience for Jewish teens who need it now more than ever.


What are the Maccabi Games?


The Maccabi Games, often referred to as the Jewish Olympics, are a global multi-sport event held for Jewish athletes. Modeled after the Olympic Games, they are named after the Maccabees, a group of Jewish warriors who fought for freedom in ancient times. The modern Maccabi Games were first held in 1932 in Israel as a way to bring Jewish athletes together from around the world to celebrate both sport and heritage. Today, the Maccabi Games take place in Israel, North America, and various other countries, providing a platform for thousands of Jewish athletes to compete, bond, and reconnect with their culture.




The Games are more than just athletics; they are a celebration of Jewish identity, culture, and community. From swimming and soccer to baseball and basketball, the Maccabi Games offer young Jewish athletes a unique opportunity to participate in high-level sports while also engaging with Jewish traditions and building lifelong friendships.


My Journey with the Maccabi Games


My involvement in the Maccabi Games began with my son, Josh. He played baseball in the Games as a 13, 14, and 15-year-old in Boston, Virginia, and Houston. At the time, I was a travel coach, and I helped the Mid Island JCC with recruiting players. I didn’t realize it back then, but those games were planting seeds for my future involvement. I recall the excitement of the opening ceremonies and how proud we all felt to be part of something bigger than baseball.


Fast forward 22 years. In 2022, just after the pandemic, I received an email out of the blue. Evidently, my AOL email—yes, I still have it—was still on file, and the Games were in need of volunteer coaches. Having recently retired, I decided to respond. I was assigned a mixed team of kids from seven different states, none of whom had played together before. We held weekly Zoom meetings so the kids could get to know each other. By the time we arrived at the Games, they had already formed a bond, something intangible but palpable. Although we didn’t achieve great success on the field due to the mixed nature of the team and a shortage of pitching, we left the Games as a united group.




It was during those 2022 Games that I approached the delegation head of my local JCC about building a dedicated baseball team. Fast forward again to August 2024, and we had a gold medal-winning team that went undefeated. I’m now in my fourth year as part of the Maccabi Games, and I can confidently say that these Games are more than just a competition—they are a lifeline for Jewish youth, especially in today’s world.


Why the Maccabi Games Matter Now More Than Ever


Antisemitism is on the rise. Jewish teens are being subjected to hatred and bigotry, whether in schools or on social media. Many no longer wear their Jewish stars or tuck them into their shirts for fear of judgment. Imagine that—being a teenager is hard enough, but now many of these young people feel like they have to hide their identity.


I’ve seen firsthand the impact the Maccabi Games have on these kids. They arrive at the Games unsure of what to expect, but before they know it, they’re interacting with 1,500 other Jewish athletes from all over the country. There’s something profound about riding the bus to the events, competing alongside fellow Jewish athletes, and simply being surrounded by people who understand what it means to be Jewish. It’s not about religious rituals or obligations. It’s about pride—pride in who they are and where they come from.


I remember during the World Baseball Classic when I had the opportunity to cover Team Israel. Cody Decker, one of the players, said something that stuck with me: "It’s exciting. It’s nice to play on a team that has a common goal and a common thing in common—that we’re all Jewish. That’s very rare." Decker had never played on a team with more than two Jewish guys before, so this was a unique experience for him, and I see that same feeling in the athletes at the Maccabi Games.




A Bond That’s Hard to Describe


During our winter workouts and tryouts, I was struck by how comfortable the athletes were with each other. This was right after the events of October 7, 2023, and the tensions in the world felt palpable. But in those workouts, there was something else—a bond that transcended the stress and fear of being Jewish in today’s world. These young men, who had just met each other, were creating something special. When they arrived in Houston for the Games, they became part of a much larger community, interacting with 1,500 Jewish athletes from all over the USA. The various events were filled with pure joy, as they celebrated their shared identity. Over the course of the Games, they went undefeated and won the gold medal, all while enjoying a few days where they didn’t have to worry about being different. They were simply part of the team—and a larger, more important community that reinforced their pride in being Jewish.




And more than that, they understood—whether consciously or unconsciously—that this connection runs deeper than the games themselves. It's literally in their DNA. The sense of belonging, pride, and unity is hardwired into them, as if being part of the Maccabi Games was part of their heritage and identity all along.


The Maccabi Games have a unique way of creating that sense of belonging. It’s not something you can easily put into words, but when you see it, you know it. I think that’s why so many people volunteer year after year—they want to be part of something that reestablishes roots, that reminds them who they are. And in a world where many Jewish teens feel like they have to hide their identity, these Games have never been more important.


So maybe I am the perfect person to talk about the Maccabi Games after all. Not because I’m deeply religious, but because I understand what it means to need that sense of belonging. And for these athletes, the Maccabi Games offer exactly that—a place to feel proud, a place to belong.


If any of the above resonates with you, I ask you to please consider making a donation to this year's Sid Jacobson JCC Hammer baseball team as we prepare for the 2025 Maccabi Games in Pittsburgh. Your generous support last year played a crucial role in helping our team win its first gold medal at the 2024 Maccabi Games—an achievement that went beyond baseball, restoring our boys' pride in being Jewish in a world where antisemitism is on the rise.




This year, we need your help again. Every donation will go directly toward training, uniforms, travel, and participation fees, ensuring that our athletes have the opportunity to represent their community and heritage with pride. The Maccabi Games are about more than just sports; they’re about identity, unity, and belonging.


Please consider donating and supporting this vital cause. Together, we can continue to empower these young men and stand tall against adversity. https://www.jewcer.org/project/sidjacobsonmaccabibaseball25/

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