The Charlotte Jewish News- Janurary 2026- Page 14
Ready to Run: Carolina Teens Set Their Sights on the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games
By Elizabeth Breyer Johnson
For many Jewish teens, the JCC Maccabi Games are where everything clicks: athletic passion, Jewish identity, new friendships, and a growing understanding of what it means to be part of something larger than themselves. Year after year, the experience becomes a defining Jewish touchpoint. And one that stays with participants long after the closing ceremonies.
To better understand what makes the Games so impactful, we sat down with Stephanie Garner, a 30-year veteran of the Levine JCC and longtime Carolina Maccabi Delegation Head. Drawing on decades of experience working with teens and families, Garner shared why, for so many young people, the experience leaves an indelible mark.
How would you describe the JCC Maccabi Games and what makes this event so meaningful for its participants? Every summer, 3,000 Jewish teens ages 13 to 17 gather in a North American host city for an Olympic-style week of sports, service, and celebration. Carolina Maccabi ambassadors represent their local JCC, compete in their chosen sport, participate in community service, and meet peers from across the world, often forging friendships that last well beyond the closing ceremonies. For countless teens, the JCC Maccabi Games becomes one of their most meaningful Jewish touchpoints, blending athletic competition, Jewish identity, and leadership development into a single, unforgettable experience. This year, we will send a respected delegation to Kansas City, KS, Aug. 2 – 7, 2026.
What does it mean for a teen to represent Carolina Maccabi on an international stage, and what qualities do you look for in ambassadors? From the fall through the summer, we connect teens and families, share information about the Games, and encourage athletes to participate in Levine JCC programs as well as special meetups. We welcome teens of all skill levels, but what matters most is a genuine desire to be part of the experience. Serving as an ambassador for Carolina Maccabi means showing up with pride, accountability, and a sense of connection to something larger than yourself. We look for young people who are ready to embrace the program’ s core values, mitzvah, teamwork, family, and commitment to the Levine JCC, and who bring that contagious spirit to practices, events, and their teammates. As the delegation forms, teens get to know one another, learn what it means to represent the team and begin stepping into leadership roles. The connections that develop are real and lasting; so many arrive knowing only a handful of peers and leave with lifelong friends from across North America and beyond.
Beyond the athletic competition, what aspects of the JCC Maccabi experience
tend to be most impactful for teens? There is far more to the JCC Maccabi Games than the final score. Throughout the week, teens participate in“ Hang Time,” a series of programs led by Israeli counselors who travel specifically to collaborate with the delegations. Between games, they introduce teens to Israeli life, Jewish culture and initiate meaningful conversations to spark new perspectives as well as friendships. The host city also leads a“ Caring and Sharing Day,” the Games’ community service component, which in the past, has included partnerships with local nonprofits, schools, hospitals, and other organizations. It is often one of the most powerful parts of the week, giving teens a firsthand sense of the impact they can make when they work together. The ceremonies and celebrations that bookend the Games reinforce this powerful sense of belonging. Once the week begins, teens step into the full Olympic-style experience. From competitions and social events to pin and T-shirt trading, the week builds toward the unforgettable“ Team Carolina” moment when the delegation walks into, and later departs, the stadium together.
How does the Carolina Maccabi program build community and strengthen Jewish identity among teens from diverse backgrounds? One of the defining elements of the JCC Maccabi Games is home hospitality. Teens stay with local Jewish
families, giving them an authentic, people-to-people experience and a window into Jewish life in another community. During the event, celebrations and ceremonies spotlight Israeli and broader Jewish culture, creating shared moments that resonate long after the Games end. Leadership opportunities emerge on and off the field, from captaining a team to lifting up a teammate after a tough match, and those very experiences often help teens grow in confidence and Jewish identity. Our hope is Carolina Maccabi ambassadors return year after year, strengthening both their connections and their link to Jewish life.
What should families know about the commitment and preparation required, and how can the broader community support the delegation heading to Kansas City? Because the delegation from the Carolinas is small, every interested teen has a genuine opportunity to compete. During the Games, our athletes join mixed teams with teens from other JCCs, which allows them to participate even if we do not field a full roster in a particular sport. The Games offer upper and lower divisions, making the experience accessible to seasoned athletes as well as those who are newer to organized sports. The broader community can play a meaningful role in supporting our delegation by spreading the word, encouraging eligible teens to get involved and, when possible, helping with sponsorships or donations to make this amazing experience accessible to more families.
For Jewish teens from greater Charlotte interested in participating, or for more general information, please reach out to Stephanie Garner, Carolina Maccabi Delegation Head, at 704-944-6743 or stephanie. garner @ charlottejcc. org.
2026-2027
SCHOOL
REGISTRATION
Enrollment begins Jan. 5, 2026
For more Information: charlottejewishpreschool. org
Email: stephanie. zubrinsky @ charlottejewishpreschool. org
Call: 704-944-6776