This summer marked the 20th anniversary of the JCC Maccabi Games, the largest Olympic-style event for Jewish teenagers ages 13-16 in the world. The games encompass individual as well as team sports, and non-athletic activities, such as a "Day of Caring and Sharing." This year the Sid Jacobson JCC of East Hills sent 53 of their finest athletes, including three Israeli athletes from the JCC's sister community center, Kiryat Yovel in Jerusalem, Israel to Montreal, Canada from Aug. 18-23 to participate in girls and boys basketball, girls and boys soccer and boys golf.

Opening ceremonies at the Montreal Games included a memorial to the 11 Israeli athletes killed by terrorists at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany. Memorializing the Munich 11 encourages JCC Maccabians to remember the past, look to the future, and strive to lead a full and active Jewish life, both on and off the playing field. Other activities included a performance of Cirque du Soleil, appearances by Jewish athletes and a torch-lighting ceremony.

The Sid Jacobson JCC girls basketball team, coached by Dave Stein and Jon Cohen, brought home the gold medal for the fourth year in a row and a record fourth consecutive year that the team went undefeated. The boys soccer team, coached by Rick Rudd and Max Shmuel, brought home a silver medal. David Held of Roslyn won two gold medals competing in the golf 15 - 16-year-old age group. After competing, each athlete traded pins, uniforms, T-shirts, and other memorabilia with other team players and brought them home with them as souvenirs. "We are extremely proud of all our athletes who participated in this year's Maccabi Games. Everyone displayed excellent sportsmanship," said Schmitt.