JCC Maccabi Games® & Access
August 4–9, 2024
Mark your calendar! The JCC Maccabi Games® & Access are coming to the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC in Houston, TX in August 2024! We are proud to host 1,500 Jewish teen athletes from around the globe at the world’s largest Jewish youth sporting event.
About the JCC Maccabi Games®
JCC Maccabi Games® offers Olympic-style sports competitions, including opening and closing ceremonies; travel; community service; social and cultural events; and opportunities to make friends and memories to last a lifetime.
There are many ways to get involved!
Compete as an Athlete
We are looking for athletes to represent and compete with Team Houston at the 2024 JCC Maccabi Games® taking place August 4-9, 2024. Athlete try outs will be hosted in the early part of 2024. Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in team and individual sports.
Athletes must be Jewish defined as:
- Having at least one Jewish parent and the athlete is being raised Jewish or:
- A Jew by choice and is being raised Jewish
Athletes must be:
- Between the ages of 12-16 as of July 31, 2024 to participate
- Participant eligibility is born between 08/01/2007 and 07/31/2012.
- Local athlete families are required be host families and host two (2) or more visiting athletes from other delegations
For Team Sports:
- 14U AGE DIVISION – Athletes ages 12-14 are eligible to compete
- 16U AGE DIVISION – Athletes ages 12-16 are eligible to compete
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For more information, contact maccabi@erjcchouston.org.
Coach a Team
Team Houston is looking for Coaches to support our Team Houston athletes.
Head coaches must be at least 21 years of age or older as of July 31, 2024 and Assistant coaches must be at least 19 years of age or older by that date.
Coaches should have at least one year of verifiable experience coaching youth/teens in their sport specialty area.
Click here to complete the coaching interest form.
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For more information, contact maccabi@erjcchouston.org.
Serve as a Host Family
Host families are an unique and integral part of the JCC Maccabi Games® experience as they offer the 1,000 visiting teens traveling from across the world a Jewish “home away from home.” As a host family, connect with friends and neighbors and build a special bond with the visiting teens that will extend even after the week of the games. As a host family you will …
- Host athletes from Sunday, August 4th – Friday, August 9th for most visiting delegations. Sleeping nights required: 5 (Sunday thru Thursday)
- Host a minimum of at least two athletes and each athlete must have their own bed (air mattress and fold out sofa beds are acceptable)
- Athletes must be housed in a Jewish home meaning there must be one Jewish adult/parent living in the household.
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For more information, contact maccabi@erjcchouston.org.
Volunteer Your Time
Calling all community volunteers for the 2024 JCC Maccabi Games® & Access! Depending on your interest, abilities, and schedule, we can cater volunteer shifts to best fit you. Volunteers are needed leading up to the games as well as the week of the games from August 4-9, 2024. Volunteers of all faiths welcome.
All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older as of July 31, 2024 for daytime shifts and 21 or older by that date to volunteer for evening events.
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For more information, contact maccabi@erjcchouston.org.
Become an Individual or Corporate Sponsor
The 2024 JCC Maccabi Games® & Access will bring together athletes, coaches, and spectators from all over the world. Individual and Corporate in-kind and monetary support is needed. The impact of your support extends well beyond those directly involved in the Games, to thousands of vulnerable children and families served by participating athletes through the JCC Cares community service projects during the week of the Games.
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For more information, contact maccabi@erjcchouston.org.
For more information about getting involved, complete this form:
Frequently Asked Questions
Athletes
Athletes must be Jewish defined as:
- Having at least one Jewish parent and the athlete is being raised Jewish or:
- A Jew by choice and is being raised Jewish
Athletes must be:
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- Between the ages of 12-16 as of July 31, 2024 to participate
- Participant eligibility is born between 08/01/2007 and 07/31/2012
- Local athlete families are required to be host families and host two (2) or more visiting athletes from other delegations
For Team Sports:
-
- 14U AGE DIVISION – Athletes ages 12-14 are eligible to compete
- 16U AGE DIVISION – Athletes ages 12-16 are eligible to compete
No, this is a community-wide program and everyone who meets the requirements noted above is invited and encouraged to participate.
Yes, there are expenses such as registration fees, uniform costs, tradable costs, etc., involved with this national program. Fees are differentiated between current J members and non-J members.
Local athletes will stay in their own homes during the event and families are required to host at least two visiting athletes.
Coaches
Head coaches must be at least 21 years of age or older as of July 31, 2024. Assistant coaches must be at least 19 years of age or older by that date.
All potential JCC Maccabi Games® coaches must have at least one year of verifiable experience coaching youth/teens in their sport specialty area.
Volunteers
No, the entire community is invited and encouraged to become part of this event by volunteering.
Yes, all volunteers must be 18 years of age or older as of July 31, 2024 for daytime shifts and 21 years of age or older to volunteer at the evening social events.
Yes, provide us with your information, and you can determine your availability at a future date.
Host Families
Yes, all athletes must be housed in a Jewish home, meaning there must be one Jewish adult/parent living in the household, as defined per national guidelines.
No, while some athletes may require kosher homes, it is not a requirement.
You must house a minimum of two or more athletes. Each athlete requires their own bed (air mattresses and fold-out sofa beds are acceptable).
Contact Us
“Behold how good and pleasant it is when all people live together as one.” – Psalm 133
Guided by the wise words of the Psalmist, the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC commits to build, nurture and elevate a culture of belonging in which we welcome, recognize and celebrate people of all backgrounds, abilities and identities in accessible, safe settings.
Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Houston
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The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston (ERJCC)
is a 501c3 Not-for profit organization EIN: 13-1740507