Alper JCC Miami’s delegation made a splash at the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games in Toronto, bringing home a suite of historic medals that will be remembered as a watershed moment for the organization.
Gold on the Court and Stage
The boys’ 15U basketball squad captured the first basketball gold medal in the history of Alper JCC Miami, outscoring host Team Toronto in a tightly contested final. The girls’ 15U basketball team added a bronze medal to the tally, while the dance delegation earned gold in both hip‑hop and lyrical categories and a bronze in jazz.
Competition spanned boys’ 15U and 17U basketball, girls’ 15U basketball, soccer, and the Access program, which supports athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One Access participant secured gold in soccer and silver in basketball, underscoring the Games’ inclusive spirit.
Beyond the Podium
Irene Tzanani, chief executive officer of Alper JCC Miami, praised the athletes for embodying community, belonging and Jewish pride. She highlighted how the experience extended far beyond medal counts, fostering lasting friendships and a deeper connection to heritage.
Throughout the week, Team Miami members took part in service projects alongside peers from other delegations, exchanging cultural insights and building networks that will endure well after the Games conclude.
Sloane Weiner, a dancer on the delegation, reflected that the medals were only part of a broader narrative defined by camaraderie, volunteerism and shared cultural celebration.
The athletes, aged 13 to 17, returned home with a trove of memories that will shape their personal and communal journeys, reinforcing the JCC Maccabi Games’ role as a platform for sport, service and Jewish identity.