In 1895, a sports club in Constantinople (now known as Istanbul, Turkey) banned a group of gymnasts from joining because they were Jewish. Undeterred, they created their own Maccabi Jewish sports club, which inspired the creation of other similar clubs around the world, and eventually, the Maccabi Games, colloquially known as the “Jewish Olympics.”
Fast forward 13 decades, Pittsburgh is hosting the inaugural JCC Maccabi Campus Games, bringing the “Jewish Olympics” to the University of Pittsburgh from August 3-8.
Sarah Mangan, program and communications director of Temple Emanuel of the South Hills, said congregational excitement is through the roof. Volunteers from many local temples wanted in, she noted. A dozen Temple Emanuel volunteers signed up to serve lunches to hockey players at the Ice Castle in Castle Shannon. “We’re excited to help volunteer. It’s a very organized effort.”
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, primary organizer of the Games, will rely on more than 1,500 volunteers during the week, said Rachael Speck, chief program and innovation officer.
Games co-director Eli Pollack explained this is Maccabi’s first campus format, housing athletes at the University of Pittsburgh for an Olympic village experience — a departure from past traditions of lodging teens with host families. Half of the games will take place on campus and the rest at venues around Pittsburgh. Featured sports include baseball, tennis, track, ice hockey, basketball and swimming. Even journalism-minded youth have a chance to participate in the “star reporter” program.
Speck said Pittsburgh is the right city to pilot the first campus-based Maccabi Games. Also, unlike past events, 51 cities and countries will be represented — double the usual amount.
Nathan Donner, head of the Pittsburgh delegation and a former Maccabi athlete, recalled competing in baseball at the Albany, New York Games in 2018. He said Maccabi is “a great way for Jewish teens to meet,” and provides a chance to “learn about culture through the medium of sports.”
Among the teens representing Mt. Lebanon is Leo Joseph, Ella Street, who in 2024 was the youngest tennis player to compete in Detroit. This year, he’s aiming for gold in 15U tennis and excited to face peers from Poland and Israel.
Joseph’s friend David Colwes agreed. The Greenhurst Drive athlete is most excited about “playing people from other countries” in the 15U soccer division and spending time living on the college campus with other teens.
Mt. Lebanon athletes Max Gordon (3v3 basketball), Lydia Gordon (softball), Dexter Boczkowski (soccer) and Zachary Gelman (tennis) will also compete in the 15U division.