KAREN GORDON
SPORTS
Surprise: There will be JCC Maccabi Games! T
here will be a JCC Maccabi Games in 2021. It won’t look like a traditional Maccabi Games, and the event was organized far more quickly than normal. But nobody is complaining after the Maccabi Games were canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it appeared the same thing would happen in 2021. Here’s the best news for local Jewish teens: Detroit athletes have been invited to participate in the 2021 Maccabi Games. Barshop JCC of San Antonio, Texas, is hosting the Texas JCC Maccabi Regional Games from Aug. 8-10. The JCC Association of North America opened the event in mid-June to athletes from across the country because there’s room, COVID restrictions have eased and vaccinations for teens have become more available. Detroit Maccabi delegation heads Karen Gordon and Franci
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Detroit teen athletes are invited to regional event in San Antonio. STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER TOP: Participants in the JCC Maccabi Games & ArtsFest in Detroit in 2019 filled a blank wall at the closing party with thoughts on what Maccabi means to them.
Silver are scrambling to get the word out about the Texas Maccabi Games to prospective Detroit athletes, sending emails to past Detroit Maccabi athletes and posting information on Facebook. Gordon said about six prospective Detroit Maccabi athletes responded initially. Those interested should send her an email as soon as possible at
karengordon44@icloud.com. For Gordon, who has been involved in the Maccabi Games in multiple capacities since 1986, news that Detroit athletes could participate in the Texas Maccabi Games was a very pleasant surprise. “It was super last-minute, but I’ll be thrilled if only one kid from Detroit gets to have a Maccabi experience,” Gordon
said. “At least something is happening this summer. The Maccabi Games are still in people’s minds. It’s still relevant; it’s still happening.” About 100-150 athletes are expected to participate in the Texas Maccabi Games. The athletes won’t stay with host families. They’ll spend two nights in the same hotel. Five sports are offered. They are tennis, golf, swimming, 3 vs. 3 soccer and 3 vs. 3 basketball. Soccer and basketball teams from different delegations will be put together if needed. Those are the sports that need the most athletes. MACCABI EXPERIENCE In addition to the sports competitions, there will be a Maccabi Games experience of social events, hang time and JCC Cares community service work in Texas. “This will be more of a
