Maccabi Games’ New Esports Tournament Lets Jewish Teens Compete In Super Smash Bros, FIFA
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
The JCC Maccabi Games have added video game tournaments to the Olympic-style competition.
Three-thousand Jewish teenagers are due to compete in various athletic events at the upcoming Maccabi Games, in Atlanta from July 28 to August 2, and Detroit from August 4 to 9. This year, esports are joining the lineup of events.
Esports are competitions on video games. Lost Tribe Esports will host eight tournaments over the Maccabi Games. There will be a 21-station gaming center, where 56 teens can play two-on-two at any time. The video games include Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League, NBA 2K19 and Madden NFL 19.
All athletes can play esports on their free time and also participate in the tournament. It presents a new way to compete, connect and forge friendships, according to Samantha Cohen, vice president of JCC Maccabi and the JCC Association of North America.
After the Maccabi Games, Lost Tribe Esports is moving forward with online tournaments open to the athletes and other Jewish teens around North America. It will eventually be a global, year-round activity.
Alyssa Fisher is a writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
