The JCC Maccabi Games and Access were held August 2-7 in two different host cities—Toronto and Kansas City. The Team Virginia Beach delegation went to the Games in Canada, joining more than 60 other delegations from nine countries.
Eight athletes represented TeamVB; five basketball players, two soccer players, and one Access athlete. Joining the Southside veterans of Shanny Zach (soccer), Oliver Scolnick (Access), and Leo Gottlieb and Ashten Konikoff (3v3 basketball) were four athletes from the Peninsula, Dylan Preston and Eli Green and Seth Green (3v3 basketball), and Mia Green (soccer).
Mia Green and Shanny Zach played on the same 17-and-under girls’ soccer team with players from Toronto, Tucson, and Vancouver, finishing in a tie for fifth place. The boys formed one team for the 17-and-under boys 3-on-3 basketball in which they went undefeated and won the gold medal. Coach Chris Queman led the Maccabi 3v3 team from Virginia Beach for the third time, and this is his first gold medal. Oliver Scolnick won six medals in a variety of sports, basketball, bowling, soccer, and swimming, while participating with more than 30 other athletes in the Access division that incorporates sports and activities for those with developmental hurdles.
Approximately 2,000 Jewish teenagers were in Toronto for the week, creating an unforgettable experience for every participant and volunteer.
Team Virginia Beach will go to the JCC Maccabi Games and Access in Austin, Texas in 2027. The team seeks Jewish teens, ages 13-17, who want to join in celebrating Jewish peoplehood, to meet new Jewish friends from around the globe, and to have the greatest week of their life.
Contact Tom Edwards for more information at 757-321-2308 or TEdwards@SimonFamilyJCC.org.
Tom Edwards is athletics director and delegation head for Team Virginia Beach at the JCC Maccabi Games & Access for the Simon Family JCC.
