by Cathy Sachs Hollander
The 2026 Maccabiah Games in Israel were a deeply meaningful experience for Myer McKee. He is the son of Kirt and Dr. Heather McKee of Indian Hill and the grandson of Linda and Dr. Leon Ravvin. The family are members of Adath Israel Synagogue.
Myer gained experience by playing soccer for the Cincinnati United Soccer Club, MLS Next Division, and with Indian Hill High School Varsity Soccer Team. During the winter, he plays with the local futsal teams, Get Sharp Futsal and Breakthrough Soccer Academy, and others over the years.
Myer tried out the summer of 2024 and was selected to play on the United States U17 Futsal Team for the 2025 Maccabiah Games. Unfortunately, the 2025 games were canceled because of the war in Israel.
“I was devastated when I learned I would not have the opportunity to compete. When the Games got rescheduled for 2026, I was ecstatic,” said Myer.
“I arrived in Israel with a few of my teammates whom I had only met virtually or for short training weekends. Then we drove to the hotel by bus to meet the rest of our teammates, 10 players from across the US, 2 goalies, and 8 field players.”
Futsal is a fast-paced version of soccer played on a hard surface, most often indoors. The goals are more compact, and the ball is smaller and heavier than regular soccer. Only four field players and a goalie play at a time.
“Our coach set up some team bonding to get to know each other and our backgrounds. After a week of intense competitive practices and team-building exercises, we built a stronger team, deeper trust, and the confidence to perform together.
“Our first main introduction to the entirety of the 2026 Maccabiah Games was the opening ceremony. Families from across Israel gathered in the stands waiting for the entry of all the Jewish competitors. The players entered by country in alphabetical order, except Israel, which was honorarily saved for last.
When the US delegation walked together into the stadium wearing our country’s colors and waving American flags, the energy was palpable.”
This was not Myer’s first trip to Israel. Two years earlier, he traveled to Israel with his parents, two younger siblings, and maternal grandparents. He’d spent time visiting local family, attending a family wedding, and doing extensive touring of the middle and southern parts of the country. The family had felt the love and warmth of the Israeli people and culture. It felt particularly meaningful to visit and support Israel because there were very few tourists traveling to Israel at that time.
“Looking around at the stands of people gathered from Israel and at the thousands of Jewish athletes assembled from around the world made me realize I was part of something bigger than just a futsal tournament. Among the many influential voices and entertainers at this event were Benjamin Netanyahu and Isaac Herzog. The main message was to welcome us to our homeland and be proud of being Jewish.
“Once the competition began, every match was exciting, physical, challenging, and unforgettable. We faced competitive teams from various countries. It was intense and meaningful to all the players. The atmosphere inside each arena was incredible, with fans proudly waving their flags, banging on drums, chanting, and cheering.
“What was even more notable was being named team captain by both my coaches and my teammates. I tried to lead my team by encouraging them, communicating on the court, and setting a good example. As the tournament went on, our team continued to grow and improve together. In the end, our hard work and camaraderie led to us winning a bronze medal!
“Following the games was another week of the Israel Connect Program, where my teammates and I had the opportunity to travel throughout Israel and experience the country in a different way. We visited important historical and cultural sites, like the Western Wall and the Nova Festival Victims Memorial. We also learned about Israel’s history and created memories outside of the competition.
“We shared these moments together after everything we accomplished on the court.
Looking back, the Maccabiah Games were about much more than winning a bronze medal. It allowed me to represent my country, connect with Jewish athletes from across the globe, grow as a leader, and form friendships that will last a lifetime. I am very grateful for this experience. I will always remember the people I met, the lessons I learned, and the memories I made in Israel.
“I want to say a special thank you to my parents and family for supporting me throughout this incredible experience. And last, but certainly not least, I want to say a huge thank you to Cincy Journeys for helping sponsor my unforgettable journey.”
