For one unforgettable week this summer, the Kansas City Jewish community was buzzing with energy as thousands of athletes and coaches from across the country and around the world came together for the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games. Behind the scenes, hundreds of volunteers helped make it happen, showing just how much is possible when the community comes together.
Carly Stein, The J’s Chief Operating Officer, reflects on the experience, the moments that made her proud and how the community can keep the Maccabi spirit going long after the final game.
Looking back on the Games, what’s something that really stood out to you?
One of the things I am most proud of is that Maccabi became a community effort. The J was the host, but this could never have happened because of one organization. It really belonged to the entire Kansas City Jewish community. Maccabi showed the Kansas City Jewish community what we can do together. Now the challenge is to make sure we don’t stop doing it together just because the Games are over.
What surprised you most about how the community responded to the Games?
I was truly impressed with how deeply people wanted to be part of it. We knew Maccabi would take an incredible amount of work, but I don’t think we could have anticipated just how much people would embrace it. People opened their homes, volunteered countless hours, donated resources, showed up to events and found ways to help that we never even thought to ask for. It stopped feeling like just a program, but something the entire community was creating together.
How would you describe the Games’ effect on the community?
I knew Maccabi was going to be a great thing for our community, but it far exceeded all my expectations. Maccabi brought people together in a way that few things can... [and] I think the impact goes beyond that one week. Maccabi reminded us what our Jewish community looks like when we come together around something bigger than any one organization. We saw people build new friendships, strengthen existing relationships and discover new ways to be part of Jewish life in Kansas City. I hope that feeling stays with us for a long time.
Now that the Games are over, what does sustaining the momentum look like for The J and the broader Jewish community?
For us, sustaining the momentum starts with continuing to build on the relationships that were created during the Games, both among our teens and throughout the broader community. Maccabi created a powerful sense of belonging for so many people, and we want to find ways to continue that feeling of connection. That means creating more opportunities for our teens to stay engaged with The J, with one another and with Jewish life in Kansas City.
One of our priorities now is building a strong Kansas City delegation for the 2027 Maccabi Games so even more of our teens can have this incredible experience. We are focusing on growing our Maccabi Endowment, which will help underwrite some of the costs for athletes to participate in the Games each year and make this experience accessible to more families. Maccabi 2026 was an incredible moment for our community, but our goal is to turn that moment into an ongoing investment in our teens, our community and the future of Jewish life in Kansas City.
What opportunities are there for someone who got involved with Maccabi to stay involved with the community?
I hope people see Maccabi as an entry point rather than a one-time experience. There are so many ways to stay involved at The J and throughout our Jewish community, whether that is through youth programs and camp, Jewish Experiences, arts and culture, fitness, community events or volunteering.
But involvement doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. Maybe Maccabi introduced you to a new friend, a new organization, a new program or a new part of Jewish life in Kansas City. Follow that connection and keep showing up, that’s how the momentum continues.
What one word or phrase would you use to sum up what Maccabi meant to the community?
One community. Maccabi showed us what happens when people put their individual organizations, roles and differences aside and work toward something together. Hundreds of people contributed in ways big and small, and every single person became part of the story. For me, that is what I will remember most. Maccabi wasn’t just an event that happened in Kansas City. It was something Kansas City did together.