Week of the Games

VIP Reception
The VIP reception will be held Sunday night prior to the opening ceremonies. This evening gives the JCC Maccabi Games^® leadership a chance to say thank you to the community leaders and the sponsors of the games.

Opening Ceremony
The Parade of Athletes marches into the arena to the cheers of family and friends. Music, dance, drama, and lights set an upbeat tone for the four days of competition ahead. The shining JCC Maccabi Games^® flame signals that the Games have begun!

On the Field
“Participation for all those who wish to compete” is the motto of the JCC Maccabi Games^® in basketball, baseball, bowling, dance, soccer, swimming and table tennis.

Off the Field
The excitement continues as athletes trade pins, T-shirts, and warm-ups. Informal educational opportunities include Hang Time, which teaches the athletes and coaches about Jewish and Israeli culture. Two evening events will be held that allow athletes the opportunity to interact, meet Jewish teens from around the country and the globe. Athletes look forward to this time to unwind, see old friends and just have a good time. Specific event information will be available from each delegation’s local Delegation Head in the spring. On Tuesday evening athletes will be spend time with their host families. Athletes will join their host families for dinner and activities in and around Richmond.

Giving Back to the Community
All athletes participate in the unique Days of Caring and Sharing program, which engages them in the Jewish principle of Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world. Separate from competition, athletes do hands-on, people-to-people community service projects that might involve packing school supply kits for family centers and Israeli children, visiting sick kids and teens at local hospitals, and/or spending time with older adults in nursing homes.

Closing Party
All the medals have been awarded and the last feverish trading of memorabilia takes place. Thousands of athletes, coaches, host families, and volunteers gather to celebrate the week, say their goodbyes, and pass the JCC Maccabi Games^® torch to the hosts of next year’s Games.

Security
The Weinstein JCC, in working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will use our collective efforts to provide all necessary security for the JCC Maccabi Games^®.

Days of Caring and Sharing
Held on three consecutive afternoons, DOCAS is designated to give JCC Maccabi Games^® athletes a chance to give back to the community they are visiting and to participate in a community-wide Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) project.

Athletes will take part in different Days of Caring and Sharing projects. Examples of projects you and your delegation might participate in are:

• Filling backpacks with school supplies for area school children who need them for back-to-school
• Shopping with underprivileged children for their back-to-school clothing and supplies.
• Coaching and helping Junior Maccabi athletes during their own Junior Maccabi Games Day.