By Hannah Hettena, AJC Goldman Fellow
American Jewish Committee's Dallas office hosted a conversation June 23 on combating antisemitism through sports, featuring Lord John Mann, the UK government's independent adviser on antisemitism, and Brad Sham, the voice of the Dallas Cowboys. The program was held at Congregation Shearith Israel and drew community leaders, advocates and philanthropists.
The evening opened with an AJC video highlighting challenges facing Jewish communities worldwide and the organization's efforts to combat antisemitism and support Jewish communities.
During the conversation, Lord Mann discussed what motivates his work combating antisemitism. He recounted how the Jewish community supported and employed members of his family after his grandparents experienced hardship as teenagers. He also said Britain's struggle against fascism during the 20th century shaped his commitment to protecting the rights of Jewish communities.
Lord Mann also discussed the role sports can play in addressing antisemitism. Drawing on his experience as a former member of the British Parliament, he highlighted the 2023 "Tackling Antisemitism in Sport" initiative, developed in partnership with Maccabi Great Britain. The program educates members of the British sports community about recognizing and reporting antisemitism. According to Lord Mann, the initiative has hosted more than 100 workshops and engaged about 2,500 participants across the sporting community.
Throughout the discussion, Lord Mann spoke about the importance of ensuring Jewish people can express their identity freely. He cited his participation in events such as the Football Association's Hanukkah gathering, partnerships with organizations including the World Jewish Congress and the German Football Association, and his commissioning of the first research into antisemitism in sport.
Asked by Sham what motivates him to advocate against antisemitism despite not being Jewish, Lord Mann replied that he "...want(s) every 16-year-old Jewish boy or girl to live their lives and identify Jewishly how they choose with success. Everything flows from that."
