Juden auf dem Platz, Juden auf den Rängen

Football and Jewish Life: Stories of Solidarity and Challenge

Jewish people are an active part of German society, including in football: in the stands and on the pitch. The massacres carried out by the Islamist terrorist organisation Hamas against Israel on 7 October 2023 revealed both the catastrophic and the solidarity-based sides of football. Stories such as those of the murdered Israeli hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Inbar ‘Pink’ Heyman have also touched many fan groups in German football. With voices from Germany and Israel, this book tells a story of friendship and solidarity, but also of threat and violence.

• Diversity and inclusion: Hear stories of Jewish people in football and how their presence is valued both in the stands and on the pitch.
• Contemporary challenges: Understand the importance of solidarity actions in football and the responses to anti-Semitic incidents.
• Beyond categorisation: authors such as Monty Ott and Ruben Gerczikow offer critical insights, sponsored by Werder Bremen, to contribute to a deeper social understanding.

This book provides an in-depth insight into the diverse experiences and challenges of Jewish people in football and illustrates that the sport is much more than just a game.