Around Atlanta
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) to Host the 2019 JCC Maccabi Games in Atlanta for an Olympic Style Event
Atlanta is the Host City for the 2019 JCC Maccabi Games® July 28 – August 2, 2019! The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) is thrilled that the JCC Maccabi Games will call Atlanta home for just the second time in the history of the competition, with more than 1,600 participants, ranging from 12 to 16 years old, to compete in a field of 14 sports. To learn more, visit atlmaccabi2019.org.
“Atlanta is the place to be when it comes to marquee sporting events sure to cement lifelong memories – including the 2018 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, the 2019 Super Bowl, and the 2020 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four,” says MJCCA CEO Jared Powers. “Adding to that list of sporting spectacles, in July, the 2019 JCC Maccabi Games® will return to Atlanta for the first time since 2001.”
What are the JCC Maccabi Games?
The JCC Maccabi Games are an Olympic-style sporting competition that brings teen-athletes from around the globe to compete in sporting competitions, perform community service, and above all have an amazing time meeting new people, and forming bonds that will last a lifetime.
Started in 1982, The JCC Maccabi Games have grown exponentially over the years, and this year is no different. Team Atlanta is now one of largest ever delegations in Maccabi history. Over 1,000 visiting athletes from over 35 visiting delegations will be joining the almost 600 Team Atlanta athletes to compete in a week of tournaments. Every athlete, coach, and delegation head in attendance is proud to have earned the privilege of representing their community at The Games.
Hosted by the MJCCA, the 2019 JCC Maccabi Games will include a full range of events, including Olympic-style opening ceremonies and a community service day. These events each aim to bring the Atlanta Jewish community together for a week of spirit, friendship, and celebration.
“This summer, the JCC Maccabi Games® will require the helping hands of nearly 1,500 volunteers,” explains MJCCA Maccabi Games Director Stacie Francombe. “Whether you have a few hours or a few days to help, there are opportunities that match your interests – everything from arrivals and departures to athletics and hydration, from medical and hospitality to food service, and so much more. We hope you’ll join us by becoming a part of this exciting community event. Can’t make it to the MJCCA? We are utilizing venues all over Atlanta and need volunteers at every location.”
Interested in volunteering? All volunteers must be 18-years-old or older as of July 28, 2019 for daytime shifts and 21-years-old or older to volunteer for evening events.
Go to www.atlmaccabi2019.org/signup/ to register as a volunteer.
Ways to Get Involved in atlmaccabi2019.org:
Opening Ceremonies of the 2019 JCC Maccabi Games will take place on July 28, 2019 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre (2200 Encore Pkwy, Alpharetta), and will include entertainment, a parade of athletes, a Munich 11 memorial tribute and more. Come cheer on Team Atlanta and the 35 visiting delegations for a night of fun and entertainment.
Time: Athlete drop off 5:45 pm / Doors open at 6:00 pm / Parade of Athletes starts at 7:00 pm.
- Opening Ceremonies Highlights:
- Angelica Hale, America’s Got Talent 2017 finalist and recording artist;
- Adam Rippon, 2017 Olympic bronze medalist in ice skating; LGBTQ activist; Judge on Dancing with the Stars Junior;
- Joe Castillo, Sand Artist, Seen on America’s Got Talent 2012;
- Atlanta Drumline Academy, local drum core team with choreographed show, Seen on Steve Harvey’s Little Big Shots.
- Opening Ceremonies Tickets: Reserve HERE and pickup at the MJCCA’s Maccabi Central or at Ameris Bank will call on July 28.
“We invite the community to come out to Opening Ceremonies and be a part of one of the largest gatherings in the history of Jewish Atlanta,” said MJCCA Maccabi Games co-chair Amy Rubin.
JCC Cares (Community Service Projects)
Since 1982, the JCC Maccabi Games have always been more than an athletic competition. An important component of the Games, JCC Cares, provides an opportunity for teens to embrace their experiences at the Games by taking time out of their competition schedule to participate in a community service project.
The basic American concept of community service is closely tied to the basic Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, which urges us to make a difference in the lives of others who may be less fortunate than ourselves. All athletes, coaches, and chaperones will participate in JCC Cares as part of their Maccabi experience. Also, to make an even greater impact and connection, each participant has asked to bring supplies or goods that would benefit the local community.
The 2019 Atlanta JCC Cares initiative will include three components:
- Disabled Athlete Exhibition – During the 2019 JCC Maccabi Games in Atlanta, the MJCCA will partner with theIsrael Sports Center for the Disabled (ISCD), one of the world pioneers in the field of sport rehabilitation; as well as the Shepherd Center, a local nonprofit hospital devoted to the medical treatment, research, and rehabilitation for people with neuromuscular problems such as spinal cord injury and disease, acquired brain injury, and multiple sclerosis. These two organizations will provide a disabled athlete exhibition for the Maccabi teen athletes. The goal of this initiative is for Maccabi athletes to see all people for their abilities and not just their disabilities.
- From Art Project to Art Therapy – The Maccabi athletes will also participate in an art project lead by two local professional artists and learn how art therapy is used to help rehabilitate people with physical injuries. The athletes will walk on bubble wrap covered in paint, which will splatter the paint onto two canvases. The professional artists will then transform the canvas into two art pieces, which will be revealed at the closing party and permanently displayed at the ISCD and Shepherd Center.
- Community Service – In order to reinforce the Jewish value of giving charity (Tzedakah), the Maccabi athletes have been asked to contribute an item requested by the Shepherd Center and placed on an Amazon registry. Whether it’s shirts or hats, a movie DVD, or rehabilitation supplies, these items will be used to directly benefit patients staying at the Shepherd Center. Throughout the Games, the Maccabi athletes will help package these items, which will be delivered to the Shepherd Center after the Games conclude.
You don’t have to be an athlete to be a part of Maccabi. Star Reporters will document the Games in real-time through photography, videography, interview, blogging, and other modes of social media. This team is also being coached by VOX ATL. As Star Reporters develop new skills through hands-on reporting and exposure to state-of-the-art technologies and tools, they also will receive mentoring in photography, videography, the art of the interview, and more. Star Reporter coaches, provided by Team Atlanta, will be experienced professionals in the fields of journalism, photography, videography, social media, and marketing.
Gaming and eSports
The 2019 Atlanta Maccabi Games will be the first JCC Maccabi Games to offer gaming and eSports for our athletes. Gaming is a growing part of youth culture, with many state high schools, division 1 colleges and professional sports leagues offering Varsity Letters, Scholarships, and professional careers in eSports. We will be having open play and structured tournaments during the games. We are excited to partner with Lost Tribe, an pioneer in eSports for Jewish Youth Engagement to offer this new experience for our 2019 Participants.
The 2019 Atlanta Maccabi Games will be an inclusive program. The games intend to welcome athletes with developmental, physical and/or neurological differences who may require support, to participate in various Maccabi programs. Accommodations and funded support will be determined on an individual basis.
During the week of The Games, athletes will be fully immersed into the Atlanta Jewish Community. We will be utilizing the kindness of over 500 host families to house all our visitors. These hosts are surrogate parents to these athletes for a week. They will feed and take care of every visiting athlete that will come to Atlanta. It is through the generosity of our community that we can host all these athletes, and make sure they are comfortable and cared for. Each host family will be asked to host at least 2 athletes. The requirements are simple, for each athlete you host, they must have a bed or air mattress to sleep on and a seatbelt in the car. All Host Families must be 21-years-old or older to volunteer. If you would like to become a host family, you must REGISTER.
“What I am most looking forward to is introducing the Jewish teens in our community to the international Maccabi Movement, which presents athletic, cultural, and social opportunities with Jews from around the world,” said MJCCA Maccabi Games co-chair Libby Hertz.
“There truly is a way for everyone to share in the excitement and get involved in the 2019 JCC Maccabi Games®,” said Francombe. “Opportunities are now available for every member of the community – from athletes and coaches, to volunteers, sponsors, and host families.”
Contact Info:
2019 JCC Maccabi Games® (July 28 – August 2, 2019) – atlmaccabi2019.org.
This holiday season, Atlanta’s Center for Puppetry Arts is proud to present groundbreaking displays highlighting how puppetry — an ancient form of storytelling — brings together diverse religious and cultural traditions.
Running from November 12 to December 29, this special holiday exhibition invites visitors to experience a global celebration of unity — all under one roof.
Two remarkable exhibits at the heart of this year’s holiday programming are Jane Henson’s Nativity Story and The Famous Chelm Players by Robert Rogers. These powerful displays bring to life Christian and Jewish traditions through the art of puppetry, alongside contributions from other world cultures.
In addition to these new exhibits, the Center’s signature Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ performance returns, making the Center for Puppetry Arts a must-visit holiday destination.
A rare display of Christian artistry: Jane Henson’s Nativity Story
Jane Henson’s Nativity Story, a masterful crèche, brings the birth of Jesus to life through puppetry. Created by the co-founder of The Jim Henson Company (and wife of Muppets creator, Jim Henson), Nativity Story adds emotion to the traditional display, making it an engaging exhibit for all ages.
The Center for Puppetry Arts is one of the few museums in the world to publicly showcase Jane Henson’s work, offering a rare chance to experience her artistry. This unique celebration of Christian tradition is also a tribute to an often-overlooked female pioneer in puppetry.
A closer look: The Famous Chelm Players
Another highlight of the holiday exhibition is The Famous Chelm Players, created by renowned puppeteer Robert Rogers. These characters, inspired by Eastern European Jewish folklore, depict the Wise Men of Chelm, a town known in Jewish stories as the “village of fools.”
The puppets bring to life the lighthearted and well-meaning — yet comically misguided — characters who share wisdom and are used to tell stories about holidays and everyday lessons. They have been a beloved part of many Jewish traditions.
Designed with intricate detail, the Chelm puppets evoke the shtetls (small Jewish towns) of the past, capturing the essence of Jewish cultural heritage. Originally performed in Rogers’ New York playhouse, the debut at the Center for Puppetry Arts marks a rare opportunity for Southern audiences to see these whimsical puppets and learn about the timeless tales of Chelm.
A global holiday experience
In addition to these special exhibits, The Center maintains a rich collection of global puppetry in its permanent collection, some include:
• Puppets of Hindu deities, crafted by Indian artist Anupama Hoskere, depict stories from Hindu epics like the Ramayana, showcasing the intricate traditions of Indian puppetry.
• Muslim folk characters from various regions illustrate how puppetry has been used to convey religious stories and community traditions from the Middle East to Southeast Asia.
• Asian puppets, including shadow puppets from Indonesia and China, show how they are used in religious ceremonies and folk storytelling.
Rudolph returns for holiday fun
No visit to Atlanta’s Center for Puppetry Arts during the holidays would be complete without Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Running fromNovember 13 to December 29, this family-friendly adaptation of the 1964 Rankin/Bass television special features fully staged puppetry performances that capture the timeless story of Rudolph, Santa, Yukon Cornelius and the Abominable Snowman.
An Invitation to All Faiths and Communities
The Center for Puppetry Arts is extending a warm invitation to religious and interfaith organizations to participate in this celebration of global traditions.
By bringing together these diverse stories, the Center is offering a rare chance for communities of all backgrounds to come together through the common love of art and storytelling.
Plan Your Visit
Dates: November 12–December 29; Performances of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ begin November 13.
Location: The Center For Puppetry Arts: 1404 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309. Parking is free.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: puppet.org/programs.
Rudolph performance tickets include the show, as well as admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum, Festive Features special exhibition and a Create-A-Puppet™ Workshop.
To purchase a membership, visit: puppet.org/visit/become-a-member.
About the Center for Puppetry Arts
The Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated solely to puppetry, offering live performances, interactive workshops and a world-class museum. Home to the Jim Henson Collection, featuring original Muppets, Fraggle Rock characters and Sesame Street icons, the Center provides a rare, behind-the-scenes look at beloved TV and film favorites.
With over 4,000 puppets from around the world in the museum, the Center immerses visitors in diverse cultural traditions, making it a must-visit destination for families. Supported by local institutions, it remains a key player in Atlanta’s vibrant arts scene.
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