As the JCC Maccabi Games go international, leadership lands locally in the Virginia Peninsula community.

For the first time in over 40 years, the annual JCC Maccabi Games will return to Toronto, Canada. “Hosting the JCC Maccabi Games is an unparalleled opportunity to engage Jewish teens in a deeply meaningful and joyful way,” said Andrew Levy, Executive Director, Prosserman JCC and Schwartz/Reisman Centre. “It’s about creating lifelong connections, fostering Jewish pride and strengthening the fabric of our community.”

With an estimated 2,000 athletes and more than 10,000 spectators, the Games are projected to generate $2.6 million for Ontario. But beyond the immediate economic benefits, the event will lay the groundwork for enhanced post-Games teen programming and foster stronger ties across the Jewish and broader Toronto communities. “The impact of hosting the 2026 JCC Maccabi in Toronto will be felt long after the closing ceremonies,” said Levy. “The Games will mark the beginning of a bold new vision for Jewish teen life in Toronto and a lasting legacy of a generation of Jewish teens who can confidently lead and inspire their peers, while standing strong in their Jewish identity.”

The Games provide a week-long experience for teens—many for the first time—to feel part of k'lal Israel, the greater Jewish people. Athletes at the Games also dedicate a day to tikkun olam, or repairing the world, by giving back to their host communities through the JCC Cares program.

For years, the Virginia Peninsula has sent teen delegations to Games across the country, leaving a lasting impact on local Jewish teens. Now, one of them is giving back: Seth Green is serving on JCC Maccabi's International Teen Leadership Board, joining fellow teen leaders from across North America who bring fresh ideas, vision and Maccabi midot—values—to life.

"I really enjoy JCC Maccabi because I get to meet a lot of new Jewish teens from around the world," Seth said. "I am excited to be a part of the leadership board because it gives me a chance to advance my skills in teamwork, public speaking and leadership."

Seth and his fellow board members will bring their energy, creativity and leadership to make this year's Games the best yet.

At a time when Jewish identity and connection are being tested globally, immersive experiences like the JCC Maccabi Games are more critical than ever. They create what our teens need most: a place where being proudly Jewish isn't complicated, where friendship and Jewish identity reinforce rather than compete, and where they begin to see themselves not as passive recipients of tradition, but as active shapers of the Jewish future.

Our Virginia Peninsula delegation will be competing in Toronto this summer, and it's not too late for teens to join!