Host families are a unique and integral part of the JCC Maccabi Games® experience as they offer the 900 visiting teens traveling across the world, a Jewish “home away from home.” As a host family, you will build unforgettable memories and have the opportunity to create a special bond with these athletes that will extend well beyond the week of the Games.
Being a host family involves providing:
Please note, international delegations may require additional nights due to travel schedules.
All host families must complete online registration and attend a host family orientation meeting in the summer of 2026.
This is an incredible opportunity to be at the heart of the JCC Maccabi Games® experience. Join the HOME team and be a host family!
Our Kansas City community is ready to carry on the 43-year tradition of providing visiting athletes with a “home away from home.” As host families, you are asked to provide comfortable sleeping arrangements, some meals, and transportation twice a day.
We want to make this part of the JCC Maccabi Games® program the best for everyone involved! Here is some important information you’ll need to know when hosting teens in your home.
Each participant is expected to have their own bed or air mattress. Participants cannot share a bed. Absolutely no overnight sleepovers or switching of homes allowed. The housing committee must approve any/all housing changes. In addition, participants are not allowed to go to hotels of parents, delegation heads or coaches.
Teens will require laundry access to wash their uniforms. Please offer to assist as they may be hesitant to ask.
Host family night is a designated evening, in which each host family plans dinner and an activity with their visiting teens to show off our wonderful city! This can be done with or without other host families. The Housing Committee will provide suggestions as needed.
All other meals and snacks will be provided by The J to the teens. All food served by The J will be kosher. Host family homes do not need to be Kosher; but Kosher homes will be needed to host Kosher athletes.
All host families must complete online registration and attend a host family orientation meeting in the summer of 2026.
Yes. All athletes must be housed in a Jewish home, meaning there must be one Jewish adult/parent living in the household.
No. A kosher home is not a requirement. However, some kosher homes will be needed, as some visiting athletes will have that request.
You must house a minimum of two participants, but you are welcome to host more. Each athlete requires their own bed (air mattresses and fold-out sofa beds are acceptable). Each teen must also have their own seat belt when being transported.
Yes. All Jewish families, meaning there must be at least one Jewish adult (over 25 years of age) living in the household, are welcome to host visiting athletes.
No. All Jewish families are welcome to host participants.
No. Athletes are coming to the Games to participate. They will not have time to babysit.
There are no daytime commitments expected of Host families and athletes can be dropped off at The J or their athletic venue as early as 7:30 am.
Yes. The housing committee goes through an extensive process to match participants to appropriate host families.
Being a host family is an integral part of the JCC Maccabi Games® experience. To create an amazing connection between the host family and visiting athletes, our Kansas City host families are expected to do the following throughout the JCC Maccabi Games®:
Yes. You can request gender, age and specific participants, but these requests are NOT guaranteed. We will do our best to create the perfect match.
Each participant must have their own bed, though they do not have to have their own room. Air mattresses may be used, and we can provide these if necessary.
The J
5801 W. 115th Street Overland Park, KS 66211 | 913-327-8010 | www.thejkc.org
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City (The J) is a 501c3 Not-for profit organization.
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