We had a player on our baseball team that is battling cancer and he got to play in our games twice and throw out the opening pitch for the gold medal game. He was very excited about these opportunities.
My girls loved playing against the Israeli team. Even though we lost it was a great experience. Also, at a practice before the games one of the girls said she had to leave to prepare to fast for Tish B'av. Many of my girls had never heard of it, so we stopped practice and sat on the floor and had a really meaningful Jewish discussion. THIS is the true meaning of the JCC Maccabi games.
I saw two of the athletes that I coached, one from an orthodox home and one who is not hanging out together the last night. These 2 guys probably would not have met each other otherwise.
Hearing the story from the Israeli dancer who learned of her first cousin being killed just days before the games. Hearing her heartfelt words from the letter she prepared and read and the candle she lit; and her receiving the honorary gold medal from the Dance committee head.
This year was the first games I ever attended and I never thought I would have as much fun as I did. Watching the athletes compete and make friends with members of other delegates was amazing. I wish I had gone when I was the right age.
It is always wonderful to be with the young kids and see their enthusiasm willingness to participate as part of a team. I was impressed and proud when, realizing they were going to win by a wide margin, they held back so as not to embarrass the other team.
I had the fortunate opportunity to coach a girl's U-16 soccer team composed of players from South Jersey, Springfield, Youngstown, Boston-Haifa, Virginia Beach and Poland. It was a very rewarding experience, over the course of the games to see these girls become friends, compete together, support each other and become a team. The friendships they made will last a lifetime.
The athletes compete in many ways. The one thing that seems to bring everyone together is the presence of the team from Israel. At the closing ceremony when they stood to leave they got a standing ovation!
My favorite moment was when one team asked if they might have one extra gold medal so they could give it to the boy with the terminal brain tumor. They presented it to him during the BBQ at closing ceremonies while our entire coaching staff was gathered. It was truly a beautiful moment. It meant more to our kids than any medal they received. I have never been so proud. It was a true JCC Maccabi moment.
Perhaps the best part of the JCC Maccabi games are when a parent comes up to me after attending the games thanks me for convincing them to attend. As a rule they are overwhelmingly impressed by opening ceremonies and the fact that there is Jewish life for their children after bar and bat mitzvah.
I truly enjoy watching teens from all over the country and the worlds interact with each other. My son made friends with players from not only within this country but others as well. After the opening ceremony, all of my players were all speechless. My son came to me and said "Daddy, I'll never forget". That was it for me. We had a great week.
The games promote sportsmanship. One of my athletes broke her strings during a tennis match and her opponent had to lend her a racquet to finish!
Watching my girls play hard and compete in every game is always a highlight for me. The time spent at the games reminds me of all the good things teenagers are capable of doing. I love being around my team and am always proud of them but watching them at this years Day of Caring and Sharing project was so impressive. After being tired out from a tough game my girls managed to dig down deep to find the energy to work with young children. Watching them give back was very rewarding!
I had 8 Star Reporters - some who used the "team" as default for not being very athletic. Those most resistant to "working" and "writing" throughout the Games afterwards told me that they were now considering joining their school newspaper. Made me feel great.
My best swimmer and the best swimmer from another delegation, who battled it out every day in the pool, became best friends, and hung with us quite a bit during the games.
After the baseball team won the Gold Medal, the two opposing teams congratulated each other and met at home plate. They then took a picture with all team members inter-twined as a symbol of unity and sportsmanship.
The JCC Maccabi Games offer our Jewish teens an opportunity to interact with Jews from all over the world. Our Jewish community is only 4,000 Jews. One of our athletes said, "Everyone here is Jewish! I didn't realize there were so many Jews my age!" Another one exclaimed, "I can marry anyone I meet here!" As a Mom & coach, I said, "Yes, but not for about 10 years!"
Mostly, spending time with my athletes, but also the excitement they showed when they each won a match. When the Israeli delegation walked into the opening ceremonies it gave me the chills, just thinking about what they have been through, what their families are going through and what they will encounter after the games are over.
As a family, our kids love the whole trading of the pins with the different delegations. It's a fabulous way to meet new people! The trading of all the clothing and bags etc. the last night for the kids and coaches is such a blast. The connections and Jewish Geography is probably the best part of the entire week! Someone always knows someone you know..............
This year I coached 11 tennis players, an all time high for our delegation. Before the games I was slightly apprehensive about the dynamics of the group. While we had an even mix of boys and girls, half the team had extensive competitive experience and the others were purely recreational players. I feared that differences in skill level would make team bonding difficult. How wrong I was! On the rainy morning when matches were postponed, the tennis players came as a group and sat together, cheering on our girl’s basketball team in a thrilling overtime win. The 2 youngest and most recreational players were constantly getting "lost" because they were chatting with new friends from other cities and always had the biggest smiles on their faces. One even came home with a medal in doubles! And while our most highly accomplished player did come home with the gold, all of her teammates who'd been eliminated were there in the stands to watch her grueling match and cheer her on. True JCC Maccabi team spirit!
The whole event was great. My favorite memory is when I heard the man speak about the Munich 11. I was not very familiar with the events that occurred in 1972. I felt we were watching a part of history when he spoke. It made we realize how blessed I truly am.
My team had a game on Thursday that was not a medal game. The other coach approached us and asked if we wanted to do more of a "fun" game and mix up the teams and play. I said it was up to my girls. When I asked them they are replied very strongly "No way Coach, we came as a team, we play as a team, and we stay as a team." I thought it was very cool that even though we were out of the medal rounds, they still wanted to play as a team and play for the victory.
Just being with my boys. All of the kids there seemed to be great kids. But it was very special for me to spend time with my boys and to watch them play a game that they love so very much. I think the JCC MACCABI games are a great environment and a great idea. I very much look forward to returning.
My team played in the gold medal game for Flag Football. We played a team which is basically a professional flag football team. They play around the world and don't lose. Although my athletes knew the game would be ugly, they played hard. They were very dejected in the 2nd half and you could see defeat written all over them. Once the game ended and the team received their silver medals, they truly came alive. They attacked my assistant coach and me with water bottles and ice and we proceeded to have a fantastic water fight on the field for the next 30 minutes. They realize the true spirit of JCC Maccabi and know that the athletic competition is only a portion of what the experience is all about.
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