Local teens compete at JCC Maccabi Campus Games amid global tensions

By Chloe Soibelman

(AJNews) – At a time when campuses across North America, Europe, and beyond are being co-opted by anti-Israel protests and rising antisemitism, 27 Alberta athletes joined nearly 2,000 Jewish teens in reclaiming university space with unity, athleticism, and pride. From August 2–8, the University of Pittsburgh hosted the JCC Maccabi Campus Games, offering a powerful counter-narrative to what many Jewish students are currently experiencing.

For our Calgary and Edmonton athletes, it was a whirlwind week—one that gave them a glimpse of what campus life “should” feel like: inclusive, joyful, and rooted in shared identity.

Alberta athletes competed in nine different sports, from swimming to ice hockey, and proudly brought home multiple medals—including gold in the competitive U17 boys’ and girls’ tennis divisions, and several podium finishes in the pool.

But beyond the medals, it was the moments of meaning that left the deepest impact.

One such moment came during the gold medal ceremony for our tennis duo, Amaris and Blake, who participated in the Gold Medal Ribbon Campaign—an initiative honouring the hostages still being held in Gaza. As medals were awarded, Blake stood before a silent crowd and read a tribute for one of the hostages—likely only a few years older than himself—who has been held in unspeakable conditions for over 600 days. Nearly half our team stood in quiet solidarity, bearing witness to this act of remembrance and hope. We continue to pray for their safe and swift return.

Throughout the week, there were also countless opportunities for friendship and connection. Before the Games even began, our Alberta teens were hosted by generous Detroit families who opened their homes and hearts to our delegation. This pre-Games hospitality, organized by the JCC team led by Maya Garfinkle, laid the foundation for lasting bonds between the Detroit and Alberta contingents—an experience that truly enriched the week.

For many of our teens, the Maccabi Games are their first—or only—Jewish communal experience. One parent, Sharon, shared how her son, Joey, who had previously distanced himself from his Jewish identity, returned from the Games transformed—energized, proud, and more connected than ever.

She wrote to me after his return:

“I haven’t stopped smiling since I got my boy back. Partly because I got my boy back, but also because I know this week has absolutely changed the trajectory of his life—similar to what attending Hebrew U did for me. It’s not a religious thing. It’s a cultural thing. A deep-roots thing. A pride thing. I can’t wait to help make it happen next year.”

This is what Maccabi is all about.

Our dedicated volunteer staff team—Shira Spring, Mick Khan, Gabby Benjamin, Evan Horwitz, Ari Sniderman, and myself—felt truly privileged to guide our incredible teens through this experience.

We are deeply grateful to the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, the Paperny Family JCC, the Edmonton Jewish Community Charitable Foundation, the Calgary Jewish Community Charitable Foundation, The Taco Shop, The Comic Strip, Henry Singer, Leib Zeisler, and several anonymous donors. Your support made this journey possible and helped shape a meaningful chapter in the lives of our future Jewish leaders.

Though this year’s Games have just concluded, excitement is already building for next year’s event in Toronto. And as the official T-shirt proclaimed—we’ll be bringing our ‘Eh game!’

To be added to the information session mailing list for next summer’s games please email jccmaccabi@edjfed.org with your teens name, age, and sport. To participate teens must be 13-17 years old on July 31,  2026.

Chloe Soibelman is Delegation Head Team Alberta, JCC Maccabi Games.