The Marjorie & Lewis Katz Jewish Community Center (JCC) is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its full delegation at the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Mini & Jr. Maccabi Games, held Sunday, May 3, in the Philadelphia area. Competing in the one-day tournament hosted by the Kaiserman JCC, Katz JCC athletes demonstrated heart, teamwork and determination across multiple sports and age divisions.
“We are incredibly inspired by our athletes and the way they represented the Katz JCC and our community,” said Marg Rosenblatt, Chief Executive Officer of the Marjorie & Lewis Katz JCC. “They competed with resilience, supported one another and embraced the spirit of the Maccabi Games. Experiences like this play an important role in shaping confident young leaders and strengthening our community.”
This year’s delegation included a Boys Junior Basketball Team (ages 9 – 12), a Girls Mini Basketball Team (ages 9 – 10), a Girls Junior Basketball Team (ages 11 – 12), and a swimmer, all of whom represented the Katz JCC with pride throughout the day under the leadership of their dedicated coaches.
Leading the way was the Marjorie & Lewis Katz JCC’s Girls Junior Basketball Team, coached by John Gecewicz, which captured the gold medal championship in extraordinary fashion. What makes this victory even more remarkable is that the team competed with just five players, played six games without substitutions and remained undefeated. Along the way, they defeated teams from larger communities across New Jersey, the Greater Washington, DC area and New York City, ultimately earning the championship victory over a strong Baltimore team. Their resilience, endurance, and commitment to one another made the win especially meaningful for the entire Katz community. The team’s gold medal roster featured: Kennedy Bittner, Chloe Gecewicz, Zoe Greenberg, Sofia Silverstein and Jade Trocki-Videll.
The Girls Mini Basketball Team, coached by Olivia Rulon, also delivered an exceptional performance, finishing 2nd overall in their division. Their energy, teamwork and competitive spirit were evident throughout the tournament, earning them a well-deserved spot on the podium.
“This past weekend, my daughter Lila and six of her friends had the privilege of participating in the Maccabi Games in the Mini Girls Basketball category for the very first time. From the inspiring opening ceremony in the morning to the championship game that night, they had a blast and played their hearts out. We are so proud of the girls for coming in second place and even more proud of them for representing their local Jewish community. We can’t thank Coach Olivia enough for her patience and guidance throughout the last few months,” said Maccabi parent Amy Malamut.
The Boys Junior Basketball Team, led by Coach Scott Bittner, competed with determination and sportsmanship, representing the Katz JCC with pride against strong competition.
In addition, Noa Zaken, the Katz JCC’s lone swimmer, showcased individual talent and dedication, supported by the Margate Sharks Swim Coach, Jenna Goldberg, contributing to a well-rounded and successful delegation effort. Noa came home with two gold medals and a silver medal.
“We’re so proud of all of our athletes for the way they competed throughout the day,” said Brian Adler, Marjorie & Lewis Katz JCC Associate Executive Director and organizer for the Margate delegation. “Our teams supported one another, played with heart, and truly represented the values of our community. The Girls Junior championship and Girls Mini second-place finish highlight an incredible day, but what stands out most is the teamwork and spirit across the entire delegation.”
The Mid-Atlantic Mini & Jr. Maccabi Games bring together Jewish athletes ages 9–12 from across the region for an Olympic-style day of competition, community, and Jewish pride. The Katz JCC delegation joined approximately 1,100 young athletes in this year’s Games, which featured a wide range of sports including basketball, soccer, baseball, swimming, tennis, track, pickleball, squash and dance.
Designed as an introduction to the international JCC Maccabi experience, the event provides younger athletes with a taste of high-level competition in a nurturing, values-driven environment. The Mid-Atlantic Mini & Jr. Maccabi Games continue to strengthen connections among JCC communities across the region, fostering friendships, leadership and Jewish pride that extend far beyond a single day of competition.
From the first game to the final whistle, Katz JCC athletes exemplified what it means to compete with passion, perseverance and pride. The Marjorie & Lewis Katz JCC proudly celebrates the accomplishments of all its delegation teams and the lasting impact of an unforgettable day.
KATZ JCC DELEGATION ROSTER
Girls Mini Basketball (Ages 9–10)
Jamie Blackman, Danielle Elliott, Emma Kimble, Lila Malamut, Jane Bauma, Taylor Fox, Sophia Kurtz
Boys Junior Basketball (Ages 11–12)
Bill Marcus, Jackson Bittner, Xander Hirsch, Noah Enders, Mason Enders, Dylan Weinberg, Yale Trocki-Videll
Girls Junior Basketball (Ages 11–12)
Chloe Gecewicz, Kennedy Bittner, Zoe Greenberg, Sofia Silverstein, Jade Trocki-Videll
Swimming (Ages 11-12)
Noa Zaken
