Eligibility and Registration
Eligibility
- Host families must be Jewish (i.e. they must include one Jewish adult older than 21 years of age as of August 2, 2026)
- Families with or without athletes competing are welcome to host
- Families must house a minimum of two athletes
Registration Process
Do you have a child you are signing up for tryouts? If so, the host family application is part of that application process. Click here to start the tryout form.
Are you looking to become a host family without a participating athlete? Click the button below to fill out our intake form.
Hosting Expectations
Sleeping Arrangements
Each teen must have their own bed, sofa bed, cot, or air mattress (mattresses can be provided upon request). Athletes may share a room but must each have their own sleeping space. Athletes cannot switch homes, or stay in hotels with parents, delegation heads, or coaches.
Laundry
Host families should be prepared to offer access to laundry, especially to wash athlete uniforms.
Daily Meals
Host families are asked to provide breakfast daily (Monday–Friday), evening snacks readily available when the athletes return home, and Dinner on Host Family Night (see below). All other meals and snacks will be provided by the JCC during the day. All food provided by JCC is kosher and nut-aware.
Transportation
Families are responsible for morning drop-off and evening pick-up, Monday through Thursday. The JCC will provide daytime transportation between events and venues.
Host Family Night
Host Family Night is a designated evening where families plan a fun dinner and activity to show off our wonderful city. This can be done individually or in collaboration with nearby host families. The housing committee will provide ideas, resources, and coordination support to help make the night memorable for everyone.
Your FAQs, Answered
Does a Host Family need to be Jewish?
Yes. All Host Families must include one Jewish adult living in the household.
Is there a minimum age requirement to be a Host Family?
Yes. All Host Families must include one Jewish adult older than 21 years of age as of August 2, 2026.
Our family does not have an athlete participating in the Toronto 2026 JCC Maccabi Games®. Can we still be a Host Family?
Whether or not you have a teenage athlete participating in the Toronto 2026 JCC Maccabi Games®, being a Host Family promises to be a meaningful and memorable experience. All Jewish families are encouraged to participate in this experience.
How many athletes will be staying with our family?
Host Families must house a minimum of two (2) visiting athletes. Please note that each athlete requires their own accommodation for sleeping and seatbelt for travel.
We really want to be a Host Family, but our home does not have a guest bedroom or enough beds.
While visiting athletes do not require their own bedrooms, each visiting athlete must have their own sleeping accommodation – bed, sofa bed, cot or air mattress. Athletes may not share a bed, sofa bed, cot, or air mattress. Overnight sleepovers, switching homes, and hotel stays are not permitted.
Our daytime availability is limited. Can we still be a Host Family?
Absolutely! Host Families are only required to drop off athletes in the morning and pick them up in the evening. Transportation between venues and events throughout the day is provided.
A more detailed drop-off/pickup schedule will be made available to all registered Host Families in Spring 2026.
Can we make a special request for the visiting athletes in our home?
Yes. Host Families can request age, gender, and specific athletes. While we will do our best to accommodate special requests, we cannot guarantee that all special requests will be met.
Do I need to be a member of a JCC to be a Host Family?
No. The Host Family experience is open to all Jewish families in the Toronto and GTA communities.
What about pets?
Pets are part of Host Families too! The matching process is both extensive and diligent ensuring that athletes are matched according to their requests, preferences, and needs.
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