The fraught relationship between Jews and the Olympics

These games have a long history of antisemitism.
(Photo by Ryunosuke Kikuno/Unsplash)

For three years, Jamie Hirsh and Gabe Pulver have hosted Menschwarmers, the world’s only podcast about Jews and sports, for The CJN Podcast Network. In the past month they’ve been busy covering the Olympics from a Jewish perspective, interviewing Jewish Olympians and experts in the field.

Today, they share what they’ve learned with Avi and Ilana for a special sporting edition of Bonjour Chai, The CJN’s weekly current affairs podcast. Should Jews boycott the Olympics over their history of antisemitism? Have the games ever been apolitical? Should we just ignore it all and enjoy the spectacle? Listen and subscribe above.

Relevant links

  • Listen to Menschwarmers on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts
  • Read Jamie’s article previewing notable Jewish athletes to watch in Tokyo 2020 at thecjn.ca
  • Sign up for the StandWithUs Canada event featuring Gabe and Jamie at thecjn.ca/tokyo2020

Bonjour Chai is hosted by Avi Finegold, Melissa Lantsman and Ilana Zackon. Michael Fraiman is the producer. Andrew Goulet is the technical producer. Our theme music is by Socalled. The show is a co-production from The Jewish Learning Lab and The CJN, and is distributed by The CJN Podcast Network.

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