NEW YORK — The World Jewish Congress, together with the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect, the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations, and What Matters, brought together diplomats, football leaders, and civil society representatives at United Nations Headquarters for a discussion on the role of sport in combating antisemitism, discrimination, and hatred.
The event, moderated by WJC’s Director of International Relations, Yfat Barak-Cheney, highlighted how sport can serve not only as a source of entertainment and competition, but also as a platform for education, remembrance, and social cohesion. Taking place as the global football community gathered in the United States during the FIFA Club World Cup, the discussion focused on the responsibility of governments, civil society, clubs, leagues, athletes, and supporters to ensure that sporting platforms are not exploited to spread hatred.
The program featured German Football Association (DFB) President Bernd Neuendorf, Borussia Dortmund Vice President Daniel Lörcher, and Andreas Kahrs, Managing Director of What Matters, who discussed how Germany has become a leading case study in using football to confront antisemitism, strengthen Holocaust remembrance, and build meaningful relationships with Jewish communities.
Opening remarks were delivered by Chaloka Beyani, the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect and the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN Amb. Ricklef Beutin, who underscored the importance of cross-sector cooperation in preventing hatred and protecting vulnerable communities.
During the panel discussion, Neuendorf, Lörcher, and Kahrs spoke regarding the practical steps football institutions are taking to address antisemitism and discrimination through the lens of remembrance. Drawing on the experience of German clubs, federations, supporters, and civil society partners, they highlighted how football can preserve historical memory while elevating contemporary Jewish voices and supporting local Jewish communities.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf: Today we know that quite a number of the DFB's founding fathers 126 years ago were of Jewish faith. Football fans from all over Germany deserve all the credit for bringing their names back from concealment and oblivion. They have dug deep into the archives and brought their local heroes back to life in exhibitions, books, city tours, and – believe it or not – stadium tifos. This culture of remembrance is now an integral part of the German club landscape; it comes from the deep conviction that it's the right thing to do.
Borussia Dortmund Vice President Daniel Lörcher: Football provides a unique opportunity to reach every part of society. That is why we must engage people through compelling stories and address important issues such as racism and antisemitism through the lens of sport. There are no quick wins in this effort. Lasting impact comes through sustained commitment, long-term change, and an honest approach.
What Matters Managing Director Dr. Andreas Kahrs: If we want to engage new audiences and help them better understand the history of the Holocaust and antisemitism, we need compelling stories. Those stories must be discovered and presented in a way that people can connect with. The history of Jewish sports clubs and the experiences of persecuted athletes provide exactly that opportunity.
The discussion placed particular emphasis on Germany’s football ecosystem, where many clubs have invested in confronting difficult chapters of their own histories while developing long-term relationships with Jewish communities. Kahrs noted that these efforts have helped make Holocaust education, remembrance, and anti-discrimination work part of the culture of many clubs rather than isolated commemorative activities.
Neundorf, Lorcher, and Kahrs also reflected on the progress that has taken place over the past decade. Football clubs and supporters have increasingly participated in Holocaust remembrance initiatives, organized visits to memorial sites, collaborated with Jewish organizations, and spoken publicly following antisemitic incidents. Following the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, many clubs and fan groups across Europe demonstrated solidarity with Jewish communities and Israelis affected by terrorism in ways that would have been difficult to imagine only a few years earlier.
The event served as a showcase of the Together Through Sports initiative, a partnership of the World Jewish Congress and What Matters that uses sport as a platform for advocacy, education, and dialogue. Building on early collaborations developed through WJC’s #WeRemember campaign, Together Through Sports works with clubs, leagues, federations, supporters, and governments to combat antisemitism and discrimination while promoting social cohesion.
Through the initiative, WJC and What Matters have supported educational programs with football leagues across Europe, partnerships with Israeli clubs, supporter and official delegations to Holocaust memorial sites, and public exhibitions that bring the history of Jewish sport and the dangers of hatred to broader audiences.
Among the examples discussed were Sports Crowds Power, an exhibition presented during UEFA EURO 2024 in Berlin, at the United Nations Human Rights Council, in Hamburg, and expected later this year at UNESCO, as well as Spirit, Strength, Legacy: The Story of Hakoah Vienna, currently on display at Kfar Maccabiah in Israel. These projects demonstrate how sport can reach audiences beyond traditional educational settings and connect historical memory with contemporary action.
Concluding the event, World Jewish Congress Executive Vice President Dr. Maram Stern reflected on the importance of ensuring that successful initiatives in Germany and elsewhere become models that can be adapted internationally.
Dr. Stern emphasized that combating antisemitism cannot be the responsibility of Jewish communities alone. It requires allies, institutions, and leaders who recognize that protecting one community ultimately strengthens all communities.
The event underscored that sporting institutions, because of their reach and influence, have an essential role to play in building inclusive societies, preserving historical memory, and ensuring that their platforms are used to unite rather than divide.
The World Jewish Congress and its partners remain committed to expanding this work through Together Through Sports and strengthening cooperation among governments, international organizations, civil society, and the sporting world.
