Jewish athletes, inclusion, and hope for the Jewish future
I share the concerns that many hold about the future of the Jewish people, our community, and Israel. We face rising antisemitism and violence directed against Jews, growing anti-Israel and anti-Zionist rhetoric, and deep political discord in both the United States and Israel. These challenges and issues are real and daunting, leaving many full of concern and fear for what the future portends.
However, I am not deterred. I have devoted my career to providing professional leadership to the Jewish community, Israel, and Amcha, as well as serving as a volunteer and giving generously to help create and sustain a vibrant and dynamic Jewish present and future. My beliefs and work have been buoyed by professional and personal experiences demonstrating that our Jewish future is in the capable hands of my professional colleagues, volunteer partners, and future leaders who share my passion and commitment—most especially our Jewish youth and young adults.
While many are justifiably concerned about the disaffection of the next generation, I choose to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. Many of our young Jews are actively embracing their Jewish identities and strengthening their connections to Judaism, the Jewish community, Israel, and Zionism.
Last February, I had the pleasure of joining more than 6,000 Jewish teenagers from across North America, Israel, and the world at BBYO’s International Convention. That experience reinforced my belief in our vibrant Jewish future.
Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Jewish Community Centers Association’s Maccabi and Access Games in Toronto. The event attracted well over 2,000 Jewish teenage athletes, as well as thousands of coaches, parents, and spectators from Toronto and the more than two dozen communities that traveled to the Games from Canada, the United States, Israel, and Jewish communities across Europe, Latin America, and the Far East.
As a volunteer, I accompanied my friends and colleagues to Toronto to represent Israel. I was part of Eitan: Everybody Can, the Israeli delegation to the Access Games, which supports the full inclusion and participation of athletes with special abilities in the Maccabi competition and program. Eitan is an amutah (nonprofit) dedicated to empowering individuals with special abilities through professional fitness training across Israel. The Eitan athletes proudly led the entire Israeli delegation into the opening ceremonies, competed fully, and participated in the various activities surrounding the games. Our Eitan athletes were warmly welcomed by their peers and fully immersed in the experience.
It was a thrill to see Eitan’s athletes march into the TD Arena in Windsor, Ontario, together with thousands of Jewish teenagers from around the world for the opening ceremonies. I had goosebumps as each delegation entered the arena singing, dancing, and waving flags and banners as they proudly represented their Jewish communities. It was inspiring to hear them recite the Maccabi Pledge and loudly declare their commitment to the JCCA Maccabi midot (Jewish values) of ga’ava (pride), lev tov (open-heartedness), amiut yehudit (Jewish peoplehood), kavod (respect), rina (joy), and tikkun olam (repair of the world).
I was filled with joy, hope, and pride as the more than 6,000 people assembled—including athletes, coaches, parents, and supporters—sang Hatikvah, and celebrated their Jewishness and love, support, and advocacy for both the Jewish people and Israel, all while singing and dancing to the music of Yuval Rafael and Nissim Black.
Throughout the week, as the athletes competed at the Prosserman JCC and other venues across Toronto, it was wonderful to see Jewish young adults make friends, engage in conversation, enjoy programs and activities, and proudly proclaim their Jewishness and support for Israel. This was especially true for our Eitan athletes, who exchanged Maccabi delegation pins and other swag while sharing their own stories and experiences of life in Israel.
The JCC movement is to be commended for all its efforts in producing the games in Toronto, as well as similar games for thousands of participants simultaneously in Kansas City. Thousands of volunteers in both host communities housed participants, served meals, coordinated transportation, supervised competitions, and ensured the safety, health, and well-being of the athletes. The generosity of countless individuals, foundations, and sponsors made the games possible, including a transformative gift from the Marcus Family Foundation over the next several years to support their growth and expansion.
The impact of the JCCA Maccabi Games and Access is palpable, impressive, and significant. This year’s games had a profound impact on thousands of Jewish youth, strengthening their Jewish identities and deepening their connections to Israel and world Jewry. That is why we must continue to support the games and other Jewish experiences like BBYO, Birthright Israel, Jewish camp, Hillel, and other programs, projects, and organizations that are reaching, engaging, nurturing, and encouraging our Jewish youth to participate fully in Jewish life and Israel. That is why I am both hopeful and confident about our Jewish future.
Elliot B. Karp of Fanwood is a nonprofit management consultant and philanthropic advisor to Jewish organizations. He has been a Jewish communal professional for more than 45 years.