The mission of the JCC Maccabi Games states that the program is a Jewish event for Jewish teenagers with the intent to foster long-lasting memories and identification with organized Jewish community groups as well as identification with Israel.  The JCC Maccabi Games aim to foster a strong Jewish identity among all of its participants.

To participate in the Games, athletes must be at least 13 years old and CANNOT have turned 17 years old as of July 31 the year of the Games. 

All athletes must be Jewish, which is defined as follows: One of the athlete's parents is Jewish and the athlete is being raised Jewish, or is a Jew by choice and is being raised Jewish.  In the spirit of the Games, if the parent or child does not believe that they are Jewish on a year round basis, then the child should not participate in the JCC Maccabi Games.