Game Changer – Training To Combat Antisemitism In Sports
How can we effectively and sustainably combat antisemitism in and through sport? Together with Zusammen1—the educational department of MAKKABI Germany—we are further developing educational initiatives against antisemitism in sport by creating a training curriculum for organized sports. Through this, we are training multipliers and develop educational programs accessible to anyone in the sports community.
To assess the current state of educational work, we analyze existing programs and training courses offered by both sports organizations (clubs and associations) and NGOs. We examine how people involved in sports can currently engage with the issue of antisemitism, what approaches are already being pursued, and where unmet needs exist.
Through more than 20 pilot training sessions, we are integrating educational approaches that address antisemitism and historical-political contexts into the structures of organized sports.
We are further developing existing educational offerings and designing supplementary modules. In doing so, we receive academic guidance from social scientists at the Institute of Sports Science at the University of Göttingen and analyze the impact of these measures.
Our offerings:
- Workshop: “Exclusion Before the Law” (half-day or full-day): Using the history of their own club as a starting point, the workshop illustrates forms of exclusion and antisemitism within and through sports, both historically and in the present day.
- Workshop: “The Hamas Attack on Israel on October 7, 2023” (half-day or full-day): Participants examine the events of October 7 and discuss the resulting dynamics and consequences within Germany and the sports world.
- Excursions (multi-day): Following a preparatory workshop, participants visit sites of National Socialist persecution in Germany and Poland to engage with the history of their own club, persecuted club members and athletes, and the relevance of this history today.
- Additional offerings from Zusammen1: Workshops (1.5 – 4 hours): How do antisemitism and discrimination manifest in sports and society? How can I recognize them, and what can I do about them? Educational training sessions (60–120 minutes): Learning about Jewish life and antisemitism in sports while staying active.
These sessions are aimed specifically at coaches, referees, officials, and staff—both paid and volunteer—from sports associations, professional and grassroots clubs, and fan organizations.
The outcomes of all stages will be incorporated into a curriculum tailored precisely to the structures of organized sports. This establishes a foundation for offering future training and professional development programs that align with existing sports training frameworks. The curriculum is scheduled for publication in late 2026.
The "Game Changer" project is funded under the federal program "Demokratie leben!" by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) as part of a special call for proposals in 2025.
Workshop photos: Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Fotos Workshop: Bayer 04 Leverkusen
