The Lawrence Family JCC has been sending flyers to people throughout the county looking for athletes, artists, volunteers and donors for the 2020 JCC Maccabi Experience, in which over 400 San Diego County teen athletes and artists will become part of a competition among 2,200 teens from throughout the world from Sunday August 2 through Friday, August 7.
Athletes between the ages of 12 and 16 are encouraged to try out for the following team sports: Boys Basketball, Boys Soccer, Boys Baseball, Ice Hockey, Flag Football, Girls Basketball, Girls Soccer, Girls Softball, and Girls Volleyball. Individual competitors also are being sought in such sports as swimming, tennis, table tennis, golf, track & field, e-sports, and as “star reporters.”
Coinciding with the athletic competitions will be an artist’ festival, in which teens between the ages of 12 and 17 are invited to show their stuff in such fields as vocal music, visual arts, rock band, musical theatre, acting & improv, dance, culinary arts, film, and the social media squad.
According to the flyer, team sports tryouts will begin in January; no tryouts are needed for individual sports; and artists should audition or provide a portfolio or video showcasing their specialty. Specific details about tryouts and information may be found via this website. Any teen interested in joining Team San Diego may contact Jason Lobenstein, the local delegation head, at (858) 362-1331, or via jasonl@lfccc.org .
The adult co-chairs of the JCC Maccabi experience are Kira Finkenberg, Larry Katz, and Adam Jacobs. Others deeply involved are Spencer Lynch, director; Rebecka Handler, assistant director; Phil Ginsburg, Lawrence Family JCC chair; Betzy Lynch, Lawrence Family JCC CEO, and Gary Jacobs, a former LFJCC president who today chairs the national Jewish Community Center Association Board of Directors.
To put on this six-day extravaganza, 800 host families are needed to host 1,800 visiting athletes and artists. Host families are asked to house two or more visiting athletes and artists Aug. 2-7; provide daily breakfasts and two dinners for their guests during the week; provide roundtrip transportation for the athletes and artists each morning and evening, either to the Lawrence Family JCC or to local venues; provide evening entertainment to the guests on Host Family Nights, and to attend one host family orientation in May or June at 2020. Interested parties should register on line.
“Hospitality is an important Jewish value,” the JCC flyer states. “By welcoming these young JCC Maccabi athletes and artists into your homes, your family will share the true experience of the San Diego 2020 JCC Maccabi Games, ArtsFest & Access. As a host family , you will join in the excitement and pageantry of the Opening Ceremonies as well as five incredible days of athletic competitions and workshops.”
In addition to the 800 host families, 2,500 volunteers are being sought to make the 2020 JCCMaccabi a success. “Whether you can spare an hour or a year, we have a place for you: sitting or standing, inside or outside,” the flyer states. “You can make a difference as a volunteer.” More information may be found on the website or via (858) 362-1156.
Putting on such games is not an inexpensive proposition. It is estimated that 75 buses will be employed; 500 coaches enlisted; 2,500 pounds of ice used each day; 16,000 lunches served; 38,000 beverages consumed per day, and that the economic impact on San Diego will be approximately $11 million.
In a note to prospective sponsors, the flyer states: “There will be opening and closing ceremonies, games, performing arts, social activities, community service projects, and numerous other opportunities to present your company or organization as a sponsor. Our development and marketing teams will identify creative ways to deliver high-visibility/high-traffic exposure as we take your brand to the JCC Maccabi Games, ArtFest & Access.” Paige Pick, the JCC’s director of development, is the person who can arrange sponsorship possibilities. She may be reached at (858) 362-1355 or via paigep@lfjcc.org
Republished from San Diego Jewish World