Nearly 30 years after Kansas City first hosted the JCC Maccabi Games, organizers have announced that the largest organized Jewish sports event in North America will return to Kansas City in 2026.
The Olympic-style sports competition will be held from Aug. 2 to 7, 2026, and will engage Jewish teens aged 13 through 17 years old in experiences to deepen Jewish identity and foster pride in their values through healthy competition and sportsmanship.
“We are beyond excited about this opportunity, and we look forward to the impact it is going to have on our community,” said Jim Sluyter, president and CEO of The J. “This mammoth undertaking will welcome close to 1,000 athletes from around the country and the world to our city, and I can’t wait for the rest of the country to have the opportunity to see just how incredible our community is here in Kansas City.”
Individuals and organizations within the community have already committed to supporting the event. Herb and Bonnie Buchbinder, Sam and Danielle Levine and Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City have committed lead gifts to help fund the Games in Kansas City. Community members Diane Azorsky, Beth and Michael Liss and Erin Berger are committed as the event co-chairs, while Lisa Schifman has stepped in as the assistant Games director. Howard Jacobson, Scott Slabotsky and Herb Buchbinder will act as honorary co-chairs.
“We are so excited The J is bringing JCC Maccabi to Kansas City,” said Jay Lewis, president and CEO of Jewish Federation. “This will be a phenomenal opportunity to engage hundreds of people from across our community to help make it happen and to show off how special Kansas City and the Kansas City Jewish community are to so many youth, families and professionals from across the country.”
The J’s Director of Sports and Recreation Bob Hennecke has been confirmed as the local Games director, having served as the Kansas City delegation head for the Games in recent years. Hennecke was part of the original host team when the Games came to the community in 1997.
“We look forward to using the knowledge and experience we have gained over the past 30 years to create a memorable experience for our local delegation, the participants and, most importantly, our community, as we bring the JCC Maccabi Games to Kansas City once again,” Hennecke said.
The Games, established in 1982, are a signature program of the JCC Association of North America, intended to be a Jewish identity-building experience to strengthen Jewish teens’ connections to global Jewry and build community in celebration of Jewish pride.
“It is an honor to bring the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games to Kansas City,” said Samantha Cohen, senior vice president and director of JCC Maccabi. “We look forward to collaborating with the local organizing committee to deliver an exceptional event that will unite thousands of Jewish athletes, volunteers, and spectators from around the world in this vibrant community, rich in Jewish life and a strong sporting culture. These games stand as a powerful celebration of Jewish pride, resilience, and unity, along with incredible sportsmanship, and Kansas City is ready to deliver an unforgettable experience that will inspire and empower athletes and the community for years to come.”
The JCC Maccabi Games was last hosted by The J in Kansas City in 1997. At the time, hundreds of community members opened their homes to visiting delegates across the United States and the world, allowing nearly 800 Jewish teens to come experience Kansas City and the Games. The J plans to create the same experience in 2026.
“This is our community’s time to shine and to come together in a labor of love for our youth,” Sluyter said. “Yes, it will be a lot of work, and we know that this effort will be more than worth it in terms of the impact made on our community, specifically Jewish youth in our area.”
All in the community are welcome to experience the Games and its activities. From host families to community partners to interested funders, there is an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the strengthening of Jewish identity and community bonds. More information will become available in the coming months, and interested individuals are encouraged to contact Carly Stein at (913) 327-8062 or or visit thejkc.org/Maccabi.
The J team is currently looking for interested athletes to participate in the 2025 Games. An event will be hosted on Sunday, Nov. 10, in the social hall at the Jewish Community Campus to celebrate the accomplishments of past participants and to share developments for the program ahead of the games in 2025.
Those with questions regarding the event or interested in learning more about participating in the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games can visit thejkc.org/Maccabi or contact Hennecke at (913) 327-8005 or Maggie Osgood Nichols at (913) 327-4612.
