The 2025 JCC Maccabi Games were momentous for the Tucson J and will go down not only in history, but our hearts. In addition to the honor of hosting the Games for the first time in 25 years and putting on the first non-pilot year of the Access Games, our own Team Tucson competed with 73 athletes–our largest on record.
Team Tucson included 65 first-time Maccabi athletes, eight returners from the 2024 Games in Detroit, three teens from Moldova who represented their country as part of the Tucson delegation, and four Access participants. For the first time since 2000, Team Tucson had enough athletes to compete with a full 5v5 basketball team.
Throughout the Games, Team Tucson represented the Tucson community with generosity as they opened their doors to welcome teens from other delegations in, immense pride for our city, and sportsmanship and skill as they competed in baseball, basketball, soccer, dance, flag football, golf, tennis, swimming, volleyball, and Access competitions with grit and heart. All in all, Team Tucson brought home 20 medals: ten bronze, four silver, and six gold.
Team Tucson was proud to have five Star Reporters this year, who spent their week reporting on games, developing and editing video content for social media, and learning from local news reporters and influencers.
Join us as we celebrate and say Mazel Tov to every single one of our competing athletes, with a special shout-out for the following:
Gold Medalists
- Melayna Matheson – 1 Gold (Dance: Student Choreography)
- Aja Fienberg – 1 Gold (Access Swimming)
- Paxton Clark – 1 Gold (15U Soccer)
- Nathan Goldstein – 1 Gold (15U Soccer)
- Michael Green – 1 Gold (15U Soccer)
- Dylan Hunter – 1 Gold (15U Soccer)
- Keane Rothman – 1 Gold (15U Soccer)
Silver Medalists
- Oliver Peppers – 1 Silver (Flag Football)
- Jordyn Bailey – 2 Silver (Dance: Tap and Student Choreography)
- Melayna Matheson – 1 Silver (Dance: Lyrical)
Bronze Medalists
- Rachel Lowenthal – 1 Bronze (Access Swimming)
- David Arienoff – 2 Bronze (Swimming)
- Liam McGinnis – 2 Bronze (Swimming)
- Anya LeBauer – 1 Bronze (17U Girls Tennis)
- Oliver Sheinbein – 1 Bronze (17U Boys Tennis), 1 Gold (second sport: Table
Tennis)
- Oliver Menchik – 1 Bronze (15U Tennis)
- Quinn Dehnert – 1 Bronze (17U Soccer)
- Allan Gorbakovsky – 1 Bronze (17U Soccer)
Alongside the competition, some standout moments include:
- Gabby Rottenberg, competed fiercely as the only female Golf athlete in a field of 29. Gabby placed 12th and already plans to compete again next year in Toronto.
- Our 17U Boys 5v5 Basketball team, made up mostly of players who hadn’t played together before, held their own in a bracket filled almost entirely with year-round club teams.
- Our volunteer coaches, recruited from within the J community, stepped up in a big way: Ava Pritz led her Volleyball team to a silver medal, while David Hunter and Gabe Green coached the 15U mixed Boys Soccer team to gold, a rare and celebrated achievement in a larger team sport like soccer. Nathan and Libby Bacal served as Assistant Delegation Heads. Nathan was a huge and consistent help leading up to and the week of the Games. Libby stepped up in a big way to coach our 17U Girls Soccer team, the Maccabi Wonder, a mixed team that faced tough competition with a younger roster. She co-coached alongside Ethan Myer from the Great Britain delegation, and together they did a terrific job navigating a challenging week.
Keep reading to learn about what Team Tucson had to say about the week!
Avey Hanshaw, Star Reporter
“After participating in the Detroit Maccabi games last year, I couldn’t wait to host them in my hometown of Tucson, Arizona. These past two years have been joyous, exciting, and have brought me so many beautiful connections in the wider Jewish community. I’ve made friends from neighboring states, cities across the country, and even different countries including a 10-year old Ukrainian girl who used a translator to communicate and hugged me tight when it was time to say goodbye. Although Detroit Maccabi last year was an incredible event where I got to experience a new climate (and even got over my fear of kayaking!), being able to host the games was such a special experience that made me appreciate my home so much more. Each time we pass a saguaro, drive up to Gates Pass, or I see the mountains on my daily commute, I remember the wonder and awe of our visitors and I beam with pride. I’ve learned from people, bonded over shared experiences, and listened even to those who hold vastly different opinions than I do. Maccabi is truly a wonderful time and I wish I’d found it sooner!”
Coby Jeck, 17U Baseball
“My favorite thing that I’ve experienced at the Maccabi games is experiencing the diversity of Jews from all different places.”
Elliya Griver, Star Reporter
“I think I got a great opportunity being in the Maccabi Games. It was a lot of fun getting to meet new people and make friends.”
Oliver Sheinbein, 17U Tennis Player
“I had a great time at the Maccabi Games this year. It was so cool to meet other Jews my age from all across the US and be able to compete against them in my favorite sport. The tennis tournament was run smoothly, and I got to play over seven matches to end up with a bronze medal in singles. I also liked how I got to proudly represent my hometown of Tucson during the games and feel a sense of pride in the Jewish community we have here.”
While the JCC Maccabi Games are for teens, many volunteers, host families, spectators, coaches, and others formed new friendships, witnessed exciting games, and had plenty of fun throughout the busy week.
We look forward to seeing what Team Tucson accomplishes at next year’s games in Toronto!
