In the presence of the Ambassador of the state of Israel to Germany, Jeremy Issacharoff, Chairman of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club, Shimon Mizrahi, Chairman of the Center for Jewish Impact, Robert Singer, Deputy Chairwoman of the World Zionist Organization, Tova Dorfman, and Berlin State Secretary for Sports, Aleksander Dzembritzki, Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club adopted the IHRA's working definition of anti-Semitism. During the event, the partners invited other sports clubs to join the important act.
The signing ceremony was held as part of the "One Team - One People" project, promoted by the Center for Jewish Impact, the Israel Zionist Organization, and the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club, in Europe, through Maccabi's games in the Euroleague.
During the event, the main discussion was around the issue of sports as a key tool in the fight against racism and anti-Semitism all over the world, which was followed by the historic act of the adoption of the IHRA working definition by Maccabi Tel Aviv. Following the event, an official and emotional wreath-laying ceremony was also held at the Berlin Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.
The honor guests of the event included- Ambassador of the state of Israel to Germany, Jeremy Issacharoff, Chairman of the Center for Jewish Impact, Robert Singer, the Chairman of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club, Shimon Mizrahi, the Deputy Chairwoman of the World Zionist Organization, Tova Dorfman, Federal Government Special Representative for Relations with Jewish Organizations, Michaela Kuchler, Ambassador of Goodwill of the State of Israel, Tal Brody, Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club CEO, Edli Marcus, former star and currently Maccabi Tel Aviv's VP, Doron Jamchy, representatives of the Maccabi Germany and representatives of the American Jewish Committee.
Jeremy Issacharoff, Israeli Ambassador to Germany: "Over the years sports in all fields have been important pillars that contribute to the strengthening of the people-to-people ties between our two countries. Sportsmanship between peoples can help eliminate discrimination or prejudice based on racial, ethnic or religious grounds when people compete in a friendly and respectful way. Sports generally are a celebration of diversity and diversity strengthens democratic and tolerant societies."
Robert Singer, Chairman of the Center for Jewish Impact: "We are honored to stand here today, in Berlin, Germany, and promote the signing of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club's working definition of IHRA, due to the partnership of the Center for Jewish Impact with the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club and the World Zionist Organization - "One Team - One People". This step is a cornerstone for the promotion of sports values as part of the global fight against anti-Semitism and racism. Together with our partners, we will continue to promote the important connection between the Jewish communities in the Diaspora and the State of Israel, through Maccabi Tel Aviv's Euroleague games over Europe."
Shimon Mizrahi, Chairman of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club: "The commemoration of the Holocaust and the fight against anti-Semitism are a superior value, and we must not ever forget them. The yellow badge is immortalized in the yellow uniforms of Maccabi Tel Aviv. We take this opportunity to call on other sports clubs to adopt the IHRA working definition and join the important fight against Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism. "
Tova Dorfman, Deputy Chair of the World Zionist Organization: "In recent years, anti-Semitism and racism have found a comfortable space to strengthen them. The sports fields of all kinds have recently become a tool against the Jewish people and against the State of Israel. The basketball game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and a German team, on the eve of Hanukkah - the holiday of the victory of light over darkness is more than symbolic. The adoption of the IHRA working definition by sport clubs from all over the world will be the key for the combination of international forces in the fight against the phenomenon of racism and anti-Semitism."
Aleksander Dzembritzki, Berlin State Secretary for Sports: "With their work for understanding and tolerant coexistence, the 39 Maccabi sports clubs in Germany make an important contribution despite everyday experiences of anti-semitism. It cannot be the sole task of Jewish sports clubs to fight anti-semitism in sports and in society. Combating anti-semitism in sports is a task for society as a whole - this also requires the sports associations.“
