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
- Despite stereotypes of being unathletic, there have been some extremely talented Jewish athletes.
- Many Jewish athletes demonstrate both great skill in their sports and a high level of Jewish ethics and morals.
- Sometimes Jewish athletes have to find a balance between religious observance and competing in sports.
Essential Questions
- How do Jewish athletes choose to display their Jewish identities?
- Do Jews have expectations from Jewish professional athletes that are above and beyond simply competing at a high level?
- Does antisemitism in sports negatively affect Jewish athletes’ performances and their ability to compete?
