The
Most Frequently Asked Questions
In an effort to be helpful to parents and athletes,
we have gathered the most frequently asked questions
from parents of past Games. We hope you will
take the time to read through all the questions
and answers. If any information is not covered,
and you need an answer to a particular question,
please contact your local JCC delegation head.
Click
on a topic to see the most frequently asked
questions
Transportation:
How will my child get to the Games?
The local delegation head will make
arrangements for the delegation to fly or drive
to the host city.
How will the athletes be transported once at
the Games?
The host community will offer a bus
system for athletes and coaches which will allow
them to take buses to their athletic venues
as well as to the hub. They will be able to
use the transportation system to visit venues
other than those for their sport, to watch their
friends and fellow delegation members compete.
Will visiting families (spectators) be able
to use athlete transportation?
No. Spectators must provide their own
transportation while at the Games.
What happens if an athlete misses his/her bus?
Most buses run every 15 minutes and
athletes will be given transportation schedules
upon arrival. If an athlete has missed the bus
and must be at an athletic venue promptly, the
athlete will be instructed to call the local
delegation head for assistance.
Who has permission to transport my child during
the Games?
Host family members and your own delegation’s
coaches over 21, as well as your own delegation
head, may transport your child. In addition,
drivers for the Games transportation bus system
will be permitted to transport Games athletes.
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Sports:
Is my child guaranteed playing time
the entire week of the Games?
Each JCC has its own policy with regard
to playing time. However, all coaches are encouraged
by the host city and the local delegation head
to give each athlete a significant amount of
playing time. The host’s sport chairs
work with the JCC Maccabi Games Continental
Governing Body to make sure competition formats
promote the greatest amount of playing time
for each athlete.
How many games will my child be able to play?
The amount will vary from sport to
sport, but the host city strives to ensure that
each athlete will compete on Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday during the week of the Games.
Sports such as tennis may offer doubles competition
to ensure that the athletes have a significant
amount of playing time
What do athletes do once they have been
eliminated from competition?
Athletes will have the opportunity
to visit other venues, spend time with friends,
and to observe other athletic competitions.
There are also activities such as Hang Time
at the Hub (as well as other locations) and
exhibition sports such as NFL Flag Football
which athletes may participate in, during their
remaining time at the Games. Many athletes enjoy
watching the finals of various sports and cheering
on their own delegations and new friends.
Why can’t athletes participate in two
sports?
Athletes may participate only in one
sport because issues with scheduling and concerns
for the athlete’s health, and to allow
a larger number of athletes to participate in
the Games.
How do we find out our child’s athletic
schedule and the scores?
Host cities will make their best effort
to post scores in a timely manner. Scores will
be posted on the host city’s website as
well as at the host city’s hub. Ask your
local delegation head for the website address.
What if our city does not have enough athletes
to field a team?
In the event that a city cannot assemble
an entire team for a particular sport, the local
delegation head may apply through the JCC Maccabi
Games office to create a mixed team with athletes
from another delegation. Your local delegation
head can explain this in more detail and is
the only person who can apply for athletes to
participate on a mixed team. There is no guarantee
that the JCC Maccabi Games office will be able
to accommodate all requests.
What do athletes do between athletic competitions?
If
an athlete has time in between athletic competitions,
he/she will have the opportunity to visit other
venues to eat, visit with friends, go to Hang
Time, or observe other athletic competitions.
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Security:
Who is responsible and involved in providing
security for the Games?
The host community works closely with
a wide variety of local, state and federal agencies
to determine the security needs for the Games.
What are credentials and why are they needed?
Credentials are visible identification
badges for athletes and coaches to help the
host’s security team determine who should
be admitted into Games venues, and keep venues
secure and also provides the athlete’s
medical information on the back of the credential.
If credentials are lost, replacement credentials
are available at the hub. Spectators are also
required to obtain a spectator pass which permits
them entry into Games venues and Opening Ceremonies
only.
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Medical:
What happens if my child gets injured?
Medical personnel are available at
most athletic venues and the hub. If an athlete
is injured, the on-site staff will evaluate
the situation and determine the next course
of action. If there is no medical personnel
on site, which may be the case for some non-contact
sports, the athlete would be taken to the hub
or in an emergency, to the local hospital or
urgent care center. In the event of an injury,
the athlete’s delegation head will be
notified immediately. The delegation head will
then contact the parents.
Why do I need to provide a medical form filled
out by my doctor within the past six months?
It is important for the Games medical
staff to have the most up-to-date medical information
on each athlete to ensure the athlete receives
the best care in the event of an injury or emergency.
How do I communicate health issues about my
child?
Parents will be asked to fill out a
medical information form as part of their registration
process. In addition, parents should communicate
any medical conditions or issues directly to
their delegation heads. Any documented information
will be kept confidential and parents are encouraged
to be honest on their forms so that the delegation
head is prepared to deal with any situation
that may arise.
Are there trainers at each venue and will they
do taping?
Although medical personnel will be
available at most venues, they will not be available
for taping. Athletes and coaches will be responsible
for all taping.
Who is authorized to give my child clearance
to play after he/she is injured?
Clearance may be given only by the
hub medical personal after they have examined
the athlete and are confident they are well
enough to participate and would not risk further
injury. Athletes, delegation heads, coaches
and parents are not authorized to give clearance.
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Housing:
How are host families selected?
Each host has developed a screening
process they use for selecting appropriate host
families. Most families are sought out from
the local JCC, local synagogues/temples and
Jewish groups/organizations. In addition, each
local athlete MUST house at least two athletes
in order to participate in the Games. Although
the process may be somewhat different from city
to city, all host families are researched to
ensure the athlete’s safety and well being.
What if an athlete is not happy with his/her
host family?
Changes in host families will not be
made unless the safety or security of an athlete
is of concern, or there is a medical condition
such as an allergy or dietary issue.
Are athletes guaranteed to be housed with their
friends?
No. The housing of athletes is very
complex and although the host city will make
every effort to accommodate requests, they may
not be able to do so. Therefore, requests are
not guaranteed. When requesting a roommate,
make sure that person requests you and that
you are compatible, including allergies, keeping
kosher, etc.
When will we be contacted by our host families?
Host families will contact athletes
and their families to introduce themselves several
days before the Games. If you are not contacted
by your host family, please inform your delegation
head. Do not contact the host community.
What are the sleeping accommodations that we
can expect for athletes?
Each host family is asked to provide
athletes with separate and reasonable sleeping
accommodations.
What meals and assistance, such as laundry,
can the athletes expect from their hosts?
Breakfast and some dinners will be
provided by the host family. Laundry facilities
will be provided, but athletes are expected
to do their own laundry when needed. Host families
will also provide transportation when needed.
Should athletes bring gifts for their host families?
Athletes are encouraged to bring gifts
for their host families. Hosts are extending
themselves for an entire week and will appreciate
an inexpensive Thank You. Suggested gifts include
gift certificates to places such as Blockbuster
or Starbucks or a unique gift from your city.
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Food:
Is
the food at the Games kosher?
All Games are required to provide kosher
meals, snacks and drinks. The level of kashrut
may vary from community to community. Please
discuss any concerns with your local delegation
head.
Is there food available for vegetarians and
vegans?
Yes. All host cities provide both vegetarian
and vegan options at each meal.
Are there drinks and snacks provided for the
athletes during the day?
Yes. Snacks and drinks are provided
for athletes and coaches at most venues throughout
the day. Athletes are encouraged to carry and
keep the Coca Cola water bottle that they receive
at orientation with them at all times and to
make sure that it is filled with water. Spectators
are responsible for their own food and drinks.
Is there a variety of food served each day?
All host cities work with their food
and teen committees to create an appealing and
varied menu for the week. Meals are healthy
and promote a well-balanced diet.
Do the host families serve kosher food?
Kosher homes are available upon request.
However, you must specify a kosher home when
registering online. In some communities, there
is a limited supply of strictly kosher homes,
so please register for a kosher home only if
the athlete eats only strictly kosher food.
Various levels of kashrut may be requested via
the online registration process.
What meals do host families provide?
Most host families will provide dinner
to athletes before they attend Opening Ceremonies
and on Host Family Night. They also provide
breakfast.
Are meals included in our registration fee?
Yes. All meals and lodging are included
in the athlete’s registration fee.
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Athlete/Coaches
Conduct:
What behavior could cause athletes to
be sent home early?
This is covered in the Code of Conduct.
Please review it in the athlete confirmation
kit provided by your local delegation head or
go to the Games website www.jccmaccabi.org.
Who determines if an athlete should be sent
home?
Each host city has a Court of Honor.
If an athlete or coach has a complaint made
against him/her, the Court of Honor will review
the complaint and determine if the actions of
the person warrant a punishment. The punishments
can range from a warning, being asked to sit
out a game, to being sent home at their parents’
expense. The Court of Honor’s decision
is final. Should local law enforcement intervene
then decisions may be out of the committee’s
hands.
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Opening
Ceremonies:
Do we need passes for Opening Ceremonies?
Yes. All visitors require spectator
passes for admittance into Opening Ceremonies.
You may register online for your pass at www.jccmaccabi.org.
There is a fee for spectator passes that will
need to be paid to your local delegation head
before attending the Games. Please speak with
your local delegation head.
Do we need tickets to attend?
Your delegation head will communicate
to you whether or not you need tickets in addition
to your spectator pass.
Is there a special seating section for each
delegation?
Visitors are not permitted to sit with
the local delegations. However, most host cities
provide a map upon arrival at the venue, which
will give spectators an idea of where to sit
in order to see or be near their local delegation.
Is transportation provided for visitors from
the visitor’s hotel to Opening Ceremonies?
No. Visitors will be responsible for
their own transportation during the Games.
What is the schedule for Opening Ceremonies?
Your local delegation head will be
able to provide you with information regarding
Opening Ceremonies.
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Registration:
How
do I register for the JCC Maccabi Games?
Registration is a two-part process.
1. Begin by speaking with you local JCC delegation
head regarding the process for your community,
including sports offered, dates and fees. 2.
Once you have successfully registered with your
local delegation head, register on the Continental
JCC Maccabi Games website at www.jccmaccabi.org.
What are the North American requirements for
an athlete to qualify?
Each athlete must be JEWISH and have
at least one Jewish parent and must be between
the ages of 13 and 16 as of July 31 of the year
of the Games for which the athlete is registering.
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Miscellaneous
Questions:
When can visitors/spectators spend time with
athletes?
Parents are encouraged to attend Opening
Ceremonies and athletic competitions. However,
parents are strongly discouraged from taking
their child out of Games activities. By taking
athletes out of Games activities, they miss
out on social opportunities, risk missing important
time with their team and delegation, and can
cause security issues if they cannot be accounted
for.
What activities can visitors/spectators participate
in?
Visitors must wear their spectator
passes in order to receive admittance into Games
venues. The spectator pass will allow visitors
to attend athletic events as well as Opening
Ceremonies. Visitors will not be permitted to
use Games transportation, dine with the athletes
at the Games hub, attend evening activities
or consume food or drinks that have been provided
for coaches and athletes.
Where should I stay if I attend the Games?
Visiting families are encouraged to
stay at designated JCC Maccabi Games hotels.
These hotels will have schedules and directions
to athletic venues and Opening Ceremonies available.
In addition to the Games hotel, where
else can I find information about the Games?
The host JCC will also have this information
available to you. Make sure you have a spectator
pass when you arrive that will allow you into
selected Games venues. If you do not have a
pass, please contact your local delegation head
upon arrival. Information regarding the Games
is also available on the Games website, www.jccmaccabi.org.
Once at the website, click the host community
of interest.
Should
I call the host city to get information about
the Games?
No.
Your local delegation head should be able to
provide you with all the information you will
need to have a positive Games experience for
you and your child. Please do not call the host
city as they have much to do to prepare for
an event of this magnitude.
We hope this document has been helpful to you
and provided you with valuable information and
a better understanding of the JCC Maccabi Games.
Should you have any additional questions, please
contact your local delegation head.
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