32 | JULY 1 • 2021 

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 

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 pro-
spective Detroit Maccabi ath-
letes 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 hap-
pening this summer. The 
Maccabi Games are still in peo-
ple’s minds. It’s still relevant; it’s 
still happening.
”
About 100-150 athletes are 
expected to participate in the 
Texas Maccabi Games. The ath-
letes won’t stay with host fami-
lies. 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 

Detroit teen athletes are invited
to regional event in San Antonio.

STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Surprise: There will be 
JCC Maccabi Games!

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.

KAREN GORDON

SPORTS