Pittsburgh youth make Maccabi memories in Detroit

A new court delivered new friends for several Pittsburgh youth, as local athletes traveled to Detroit for the 2024 JCC Maccabi Games.

Between July 28-Aug. 2, the regional competition featured an Olympic-style atmosphere complete with opening and closing ceremonies, cultural programming, competition and opportunities for individuals and teams to represent their cities.

Pittsburgh basketball players Miles Bluman and Yonah Itskowitz praised the experience.

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“It was super-cool to represent something,” Bluman, 16, said.

“It’s a great way to make new friends,” Itskowitz, 16, echoed.

Back in Pittsburgh, Bluman plays basketball for Pittsburgh Allderdice High School. Itskowitz plays for Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh. Maccabi enabled the two teens to team up, refine their skills and learn lessons beyond the court.

As part of JCC Cares, a service program specific to the Games, athletes volunteered by making dolls for children in Israel.

Bluman called the experience “amazing.”

Itskowitz agreed and said that cutting and sewing cloth helped him understand what the Games are truly about.

“We didn’t just come here to play basketball,” he said.

Players and coaches use the Games to spread awareness about the Israeli hostages. (Photo courtesy of Bev Block)

Dayna Greenfield, the Pittsburgh team’s coach, said the Maccabi experience is more than just another sports tournament.

For Jewish youth who grow up playing sports, it’s rare that you get to compete against an all-Jewish team, she said. “Playing against people like yourself is a good experience.”

Greenfield understands the value of Maccabi both as an athlete and coach. Along with playing for four years with the Pittsburgh delegation, the Western Pennsylvania Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inductee has coached the basketball team for several years.

“Maccabi is a good Jewish experience for kids,” she said.

Since its 1982 inception, Maccabi has helped thousands of Jewish teens connect, compete and grow.

Talia Block, 13, raved about her time at the Games.

Unlike Bluman and Itskowitz, who played for a Pittsburgh-specific team, Block was part of a mixed soccer squad — when cities don’t have enough players to field a team, mixed groups are assembled.

Block said she enjoyed meeting teammates from Albany, central New Jersey and Westchester.

“We all clicked really fast,” she said.

Along with becoming friends on the field, volunteering solidified relationships, she added.

A bonus of Maccabi was its location this year, as visiting Detroit afforded a new way to see the city, Block told the Chronicle.

“I already have family that lives in Detroit, but this definitely made me connect to the community,” she said. “It’s always great to learn more about what it’s like for them.”

Block, Bluman, Greenfield and Itskowitz hope local Jewish youth take the chance to access Maccabi’s offerings when Pittsburgh hosts the competition next summer.

The young athletes said they’re all leaning toward being a part of the process again.

“It’s a super-awesome thing to do,” Bluman said. “I would recommend it to all my Jewish friends who are able to.”

Block is also looking ahead to next summer but isn’t quite ready to relinquish last week’s fun. “I’m going to cherish this forever,” she said. “It was an amazing experience.” PJC

Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.