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London, the United Kingdom, August 1, 2024 ... Today, ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) launched the first of thirty “Words to Action” antisemitism education trainings at the European Maccabi Youth Games in London.
Equipping young Jewish athletes with the tools to respond to antisemitism in everyday life as well as in the sports arena, these sessions will be delivered to over 800 Jewish teen athletes participating in the popular sporting event, often referred to as the “Jewish Olympics.”
“The disturbing displays of antisemitism we have seen leading up to and during major national and international sporting events, including the recent Olympic Games, reflect a broader issue present in sports around the world. In this year’s ‘Jewish Olympics’ at the European Maccabi Youth Games, we seized the opportunity to provide young Jewish athletes with the knowledge and tools to empower them to address antisemitism head-on. Sports should be a catalyst for unity; there is no place for hate on the field” said Marina Rosenberg, Senior Vice President for International Affairs at ADL.
“We are delighted to welcome the ADL to deliver their Words to Action programme to our EMYG participants. The work that the ADL is doing across Europe to raise awareness around antisemitism is so important at this moment in time, and we feel privileged to be able to offer our athletes the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in this educational experience,” said Nathan Servi, Chief Operating Officer at Maccabi GB.
In response to the recent sharp global rise of antisemitic attitudes and antisemitic incidents, “Words to Action” has become a highly sought-after educational program for Jewish youth to understand and effectively address antisemitism, anti-Israel bias, stereotypes, prejudice, and hate speech. As part of the Words to Action Europe program, ADL has delivered 176 trainings for over 2,700 Jewish youth since 2022.
Thirty educational sessions will be provided to approximately 800 young athletes from 14 countries, including Argentina, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
To learn more about addressing antisemitism in sports, click here.
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.