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July 14, 2006
More than just games
Tzedakah, carnivals add to JCC Maccabi spirit.
KYLE BERGER
When people talk about the JCC Maccabi Games, it's natural that
a lot of attention is focused on the athletic competition that will
take place. After all, between now and the games, every delegation
is working on building teams, practising and strategizing ways to
bring home as many medals as they can. But locally, there are different
teams working on what many consider to be the best-kept secret of
the 2006 JCC Maccabi Games in Vancouver – the special events
and a community spirit project.
Several committees of more than 100 volunteers are working on plans
for a series of activities that will highlight the JCC Maccabi Games
experience for many of the athletes. Between the opening and closing
ceremonies, the games are packed with programming and events that
will leave a memorable mark on the athletes, coaches and delegation
heads, while leaving Vancouver a little better off than when they
arrived.
The games will kick off Aug. 13 at the PNE Pacific Coliseum with
the opening ceremonies. Fire tricks, acrobatics and dancing will
follow the athletes' parade, as more than 6,000 friends, family,
athletes and dignitaries are expected to pack the arena. Special
presentations and a tribute to the 11 Israeli athletes murdered
at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich will lead up to the lighting
of the JCC Maccabi Games torch.
The second special event for the games will feature a carnival night
at the Plaza of Nations. MuchMusic will emcee the show, which will
include live performances by popular local pop star Tom Howie and
Ache Brazil, an explosive music, dance, martial arts and acrobatics
troupe. An Israeli shouk (market) will give the athletes
a chance to purchase inexpensive regalia brought in directly from
Israel.
Another busy night will be spent at Playland, where the athletes
will get wet on the log run and dry off on one of the top-ranked
classic wooden roller-coasters.
The games will wrap up Aug. 17 on the campus of the University of
British Columbia, where the War Memorial Gym will play host for
the last Maccabi hurrah: a massive dance party with the best that
DJ Beyond Sound can give will fill the gym, while inflatable reality
games and outdoor flag football will entertain those who need to
rest their dancing shoes. The evening will close with a special
ceremony in which a video presentation of the 2006 games will be
shown before the torch is passed on to representatives of the 2007
JCC Maccabi Games' host cities.
Throughout the week, every athlete will also have the unique opportunity
to work on a massive tzedakah (charity) project called Days
of Community Spirit. The athletes will participate in a variety
of programs like visiting seniors care facilities, working with
the Stanley Park Environmental Society and actively participating
in recycling programs. (The games in Vancouver will also be the
first official green JCC Maccabi Games.) Each athlete has also been
asked to bring a winter hat with them to Vancouver that will be
donated to those in need.
These projects are all part of the spirit of the games, which put
a large emphasis on legacy building Anyone in the Jewish community
interested in participating as a volunteer, host family or spectator
at any part of the games must register online to receive their identification
pass. Registration and more information on the JCC Maccabi Games
can be found online at www.vancouvermaccabi.org
or by calling 604-257-5147.
Kyle Berger is a freelance journalist and graphic designer
living in Richmond. He is co-ordinator of the Maccabi Games special
events committee.
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