For five hot days, July 27 – August 1, TeamVB’s four-person squad competed against delegations from across the country, plus Ukrainian, Israeli, and Canadian delegations at the JCC Maccabi–Access Games in Tucson, Arizona.
Returning athletes from Tidewater joined athletes from various regions of the United States to field teams in boys’ 3v3 basketball and girls’ soccer, while one local athlete continued to dominate in Access, for Jewish athletes ages 12-22 with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The teen delegation from Virginia Beach was led by Tom Edwards, Simon Family JCC athletics director and accompanied by supportive family members including Tal, Tamir, and Hila Zach, as well as Lauren Karp Scolnick and Brigitte Bryant Gottlieb.
The weeklong Olympic-style games kicked off with an opening ceremony that featured comedian Eitan Levine, Israeli DJ Artifex, and speakers such as Israeli Olympian Judoka Ori Sasson and U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani. The almost 1,300 Jewish 13- 17-year-olds sang and danced at one point, creating a mosh pit in front of the stage. After, the tired teens left the venue and went home with their host families, with pleas from organizers to get good sleep and hydrate.
Ashten Konikoff and Leo Gottlieb opened day one play in 3v3 17U boys’ basketball with three games, ultimately losing all three but fighting hard throughout. Simultaneously, Shanny Zach and her mixed 17U girls’ soccer team from Carolina/Cleveland/Tucson/Miami Beach/Long Beach/San Antonio/San Diego played their first couple of games. The team ultimately lost both games, but Shanny made multiple jaw-dropping saves to keep them close.
On day two things really started to heat up; 14-year- old Oliver Scolnick medaled twice, a bronze medal in bowling and a gold in the 25-meter swim. #TeamVB also experienced a first when Tamir Zach, a #TeamVB alumnus and spectator, was bestowed a Midot Medal for his spontaneous volunteering as a soccer coach and as a united swimmer in the pool for the Access swim races.
Ashten and Leo’s team also found their groove, going 2-1, including pulling a huge upset over Indianapolis. After which, the boys’ basketball teams did their JCC Cares project, creating boxes of snacks and hygiene products for local teens in need.
That same evening, participants had a chance to destress and let loose with a big night out at a huge arcade and movie complex in downtown Tucson.
The Access Games came to a close with a luscious closing ceremony breakfast, which graciously acknowledged all the amazing people involved in lifting the inclusive program to ever greater heights. This was also the first day of the playoff bracket for Leo and Ashten’s squad, who earned the number four seed, facing Colorado/Vancouver/Memphis/Kentucky. After a tight game, the squad suffered a crushing defeat.
Shanny’s team put up a valiant effort against the number one team from Philadelphia/Boston in the bronze medal match later that day.
Sadly, they were unable to come away with a medal, but their persistence, sportsmanship, and camaraderie were extremely commendable.
The closing party in Tucson concluded a week of passion, competition, and teambuilding, giving competitors the opportunity to hang out, talk, and eat with fellow athletes from other delegations.
Onward to the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games & Access in Kansas City, Kansas! To support our local Maccabi TeamVB go to JewishVA.org
