The Jewish Community Center Maccabi Games, an international athletic competition for Jewish teens, is coming to St. Louis in 2016, and the JCC will host a games showcase on Sunday, Aug. 30 to kick off preparations for the event.

Open to all ages and the entire community, the showcase will be held at the JCC’s Arts & Education Building, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, from 4 to 6 p.m. Attendees will learn about opportunities available to get involved in the games in 2016, including being a competing athlete, hosting out of town athletes, sponsoring the games or joining one ore more of the dozen committees it will take to plan and execute the event.

“We estimate that we’ll need about 1,000 volunteers to support all it takes to ensure a spectacular experience for 1,200 Jewish teens who will come to St. Louis to compete in a dozen different individual and team events at venues across the St. Louis area,” said Fanchon Auman, 2016 Games Director.

The games showcase on Aug. 30 will honor 2015 athletes (competing in Milwaukee from Aug. 2-7), and will also feature DJ Reggie and area food trucks will offer food for purchase. 

“The JCC Maccabi Games has played an integral part in my life, and is the highlight of my year, every year,” said 2016 Games Overall Co-Chair and Coach Dave Roberts. “Maccabi has established itself as the foundation of my Jewish identity, and it has provided me with lasting friendships, strengthened my religious values and presented a platform for mentorship,” he said, noting that he will coach at the 2015 games with Lew Bernstein, Roberts’ coach back in 1996. 

“Having the opportunity to continue to serve and represent our community as a member of Team St. Louis is a distinction I much respect and value.”

The showcase event is free and open to the community. For more information, contact Games Director Fanchon Auman at [email protected] or 314-442-3420.