The Maccabi Games only involve
kids ages
12 -
16 and promotes strengthening the
international Jewish community through fair
sportsmanship and education. Participants are required to participate in
volunteer community services for a certain number of hours and to involve themselves in Israel education. Rising Jewish sports figures, such as
Tamir Goodman, give motivational speeches to both parents and athletes. Athletes learn about the community that sponsors the games by
living in people's homes and having a personal tour of the area by host families.
The Games also commemorate the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes by Black September at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.