RISHON LeZION, Israel — Roxana González, 25, and her brother Rafael, 24, had barely picked up a bow and arrow since their days as champion high school archers in Cuba. So when they arrived here two weeks ago, they began practicing five hours a day at a dusty archery range, preparing to compete in the Maccabiah Games, a quadrennial international sporting event known as the Jewish Olympics.

The Israelis provided the coaching and the gear. “It was the best equipment we have ever used,” Mr. González said.

“They have been a bit rusty at the beginning because they haven’t been behind the bow for a long time,” said Hillel Kleiner, an Israeli archer and architect who has doubled as a chauffeur for the Cuban siblings. “It amazes me that they came here without their bows. I cannot part with my bow for more than two days.”

In many ways, it is amazing that the Gonzálezes are here at all. They were among 56 Jewish Cuban athletes and coaches who marched Thursday night in the Maccabiah’s opening ceremony in Jerusalem as the small island nation’s first official delegation to these games. Even though Cuba has no diplomatic relations with Israel, they were able to come because of recently relaxed travel restrictions for large groups leaving Havana. Jewish-American philanthropists donated about $200,000 to cover their costs.