Today marks the start of the 18th Maccabiah Games, the so-called Jewish Olympics held every four years in Israel. This year’s gathering has attracted some 8,000 Jewish athletes from more than 60 countries.

Sorry to rain on the (literal) parade, but somebody has to bring up the elephant in the stadium: While there is much to celebrate in the gathering here of young, talented, enthusiastic Maccabeans from around the world, the Maccabiah has become so expensive that there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of outstanding Jewish sportsmen and women who stayed home because they were priced out of the Jewish Games market. Continue reading →