5 Jewish Sports Legends

From ancient heroes to modern champions, Jewish athletes have shaped sports history in unforgettable ways.

Whether it’s Aly Raisman’s powerful routines or Mark Spitz’s record-breaking gold medals, these five legends proved that being a champion isn’t just about winning—it’s about courage, resilience, and standing up for what matters.

Big Ideas

1. Despite stereotypes of being unathletic, there have been some extremely talented Jewish athletes.
2. Many Jewish athletes demonstrate both great skill in their sports and a high level of Jewish ethics and morals.
3. Sometimes Jewish athletes have to find a balance between religious observance and competing in sports.

Essential Questions

1. How do Jewish athletes choose to display their Jewish identities?
2. Do Jews have expectations from Jewish professional athletes that are above and beyond simply competing at a high level?
3. Does antisemitism in sports negatively affect Jewish athletes’ performances and their ability to compete?