Team Virginia Dominates in Pittsburgh, Competing Against 2,000 Teens from Six Countries
Pittsburgh, PA — August 3–8, 2025

Five outstanding teen athletes from Jewish Peninsula made history this summer, traveling to Pittsburgh to participate in the first-ever JCC Maccabi Campus Games. They joined forces with peers from Richmond, Charlottesville and Durham, NC to form Team Virginia, a nine-athlete delegation competing in tennis, soccer, basketball, swimming and hockey.

Against a backdrop of camaraderie and competition, Jewish Peninsula teens racked an impressive 10 of the delegation’s 12 total medals. They were part of a record-breaking event that brought together over 2,000 Jewish teens from across the USA, Canada, Israel, the UK, Mexico and Ukraine. ________________________________________

🏅 Team Virginia’s Medal Tally
Sports Represented: Soccer, Basketball, Swimming
Medals Won by Peninsula Athletes: 10
• Gold: 5
• Silver: 2
• Bronze: 2
• Midot: 1

Most Decorated Athlete: Sam Schorr — 18 career medals over three Maccabi Games

Midot Medal Winner: Eli Green showed the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Kavod (respect), Rina (joy), Ga’ava (pride), Lev Tov (big hearted), and Amiut Yehudit (Jewish peoplehood) when he loaned his shoes to another athlete so they could compete in their game.
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Competition Meets Connection
The Games weren’t just about the scoreboard. Participants had the chance to attend workshops and clinics with world-class Jewish and Israeli athletes, including Olympic judo medalist Ori Sasson, basketball star Tamir Goodman, MLB player Spencer Horwitz and several others. Singer, dancer, influencer, and activist Montana Tucker headlined the opening ceremonies, adding electric energy and hosting dance workshops throughout the week.

With the event held on a university campus for the first time, organizations like Hillel, Chabad and Lost Tribe hosted activities, further enriching the teens’ experience. Three-time Maccabi veteran Eli Green captured the dual excitement of competition and community: "Winning gold and jersey swapping with friends from three years ago—I feel like our team bonded after just two days. I want the community to know I won a Midot medal! I was most surprised by how much I loved campus life. The dorms were incredible. These games exceeded every expectation."

Athletes’ Voices from the Games
Mia Green earned her second consecutive gold medal in soccer, following victories in Fort Lauderdale (2023) and Houston (2024). Reflecting on her team's championship run: "It was an incredibly tight game, but my team bonded so quickly despite most of us being strangers at first."

Louise Wang made her Maccabi debut competing in tennis and discovered joy both on and off the courts: "The closing ceremony and cutting loose with new friends after a week of competition was unforgettable. On the tennis courts, everyone was so welcoming—it was especially fun since Luca [from Richmond] was playing too. The immediate kinship among participants was the most surprising part. I want our community to know the JCC Maccabi Games offer an amazing cultural experience—it's truly a week of community and deep bonding."

Sam Schorr, the Peninsula's most decorated athlete, made waves both literally and figuratively: "My favorite memory was swimming the last relay in overalls—everyone at the pool was so friendly, and I really improved at connecting with other competitors. It was great catching up with friends from last year." Sam praised the event's organization: "You could see the incredible effort put into every detail. Campus life was absolutely refreshing. I was blown away by all the extra activities—there felt like so much more to do this year."

Seth Green competed in 3v3 basketball alongside his twin brother Eli: "Seeing friends I made two to three years ago and winning gold with my team was incredible. We really bonded after those first few games." Looking ahead, Seth encouraged other Jewish teens to participate: "If you're thinking about competing, absolutely do it. The experience is worth everything—you build lifelong connections with Jewish kids from around the world."
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More Than Medals
The first-ever JCC Maccabi Campus Games proved to be a celebration of athletic excellence, Jewish pride and global friendship. From fierce competition to late-night dorm bonding, the five Peninsula athletes not only represented Team Virginia with distinction but also forged lifelong memories and connections. The Jewish Peninsula community is proud of these remarkable teens — and excited to see where their Maccabi journeys take them next summer.