By Avi Singh Shalev, Grade 10 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School
This summer, two of my most meaningful experiences were attending my Jewish sleepaway camp, Camp Tavor in Three Rivers, MI and participating in the Maccabi Games in Kansas City. Both experiences gave me opportunities to connect with Jews from around the United States, strengthen my connection to my Jewish identity, and create memories I will never forget. At Maccabi Games, the focus was centered around soccer, but I was still surrounded by Jewish culture and people who shared an important part of my identity.
Avi, center, with friends from the 2026 Maccabi Games.
The week after Camp Tavor ended, I traveled to Kansas City for the Maccabi Games, a week-long Jewish sports experience. Maccabi was much more centered around sports, which was exciting because I was able to compete alongside and against Jewish athletes from all over the country. I was placed on a joint team, and we ended up winning the bronze medal in a match against Mexico. Winning that medal was an exhilarating experience, but what made the week especially meaningful was being able to compete and bond with a group of Jewish athletes. Even though many of us had never met before, we quickly developed trust through practices, games, and shared goals. I realized that Jewish connections form in many ways, including teamwork and competition.
I also appreciated that the Maccabi Games incorporated the Israeli flag into its events and brought in important Jewish and Israeli figures to speak to us. James Maslow, an actor and singer, performed at our opening ceremony and spoke about what it means to be Jewish today and about supporting innocent people in Israel. The Games also hosted an accomplished Taekwondo specialist with a disability who taught classes. Although I was unable to attend one of those classes, I still thought it was inspiring that the event brought people with such different experiences together to share their stories and skills. Seeing so many Jewish athletes gathered in one place helped me understand the Jewish community as larger and more diverse than the communities I usually experience at home or at camp.
The Maccabi Games gave me the chance to combine my Jewish identity with my love of soccer while meeting and competing alongside Jews from all over America. Winning a bronze medal and spending time with my team made Maccabi an unforgettable experience.
I want to thank my parents and my local Jewish community, Temple Emanu-El and the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, for supporting kids my age in attending Jewish summer camp and the Maccabi Games.
For information on the 2027 Maccabi games contact Camp and Teen Experience Director, Ethan Wolfson, ewolfson@jfedsrq.org