In May, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the U.S. National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism. Recognizing that hatred and violence that it spawns are on the rise in America The Strategy demands that everyone, regardless of the origins of their lives and beliefs, to unite against hatred and bigotry, racism, and violence.
The president’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition is happy to be a part in bringing attention to how social events like cooking, playing sports, or eating together can help build communities of solidarity and fight antisemitism as well as other forms of hatred. This summer the President’s Council hosted a digital campaign, inviting others to share personal stories of their own that demonstrate the power of food and sports to fight hatred.
Participating in a sport can be a great method to get involved in physical exercise, and, as Council Member Dr. J. Nadine Gracia stated, “Participating in sports can not only boost your health but can also connect communities. It doesn’t matter if it’s a basketball or soccer league or a softball team an athletic camp, or another sport that provide occasions to meet your neighbors and challenge stereotypes.”
Sporting events provide the unique opportunity to cross cultural, economic and even linguistic boundaries through bringing people from diverse backgrounds with a common goal. As you cheer on your team as they push forward, helping each other in defeat and reliving the thrill even after the game is over can form strong bonds – bonds that would never have formed otherwise.
The Council’s member Jon Feinman has experienced the formation of these bonds firsthand. “During my time at AmeriCorps I met people playing soccer who were fighting the injustices that society’s judgments make of individuals without taking into account the context of a person’s life, circumstances or the common humanity. Through these soccer matches, I found new friends that were not part of my usual social circle. The reality I discovered focused on the perspectives of the people who were enduring the difficulties – made me to reevaluate my own beliefs, my beliefs that I was instilled and believed as well as my own actions in a system that which we are all part of. As a result of this experience using sport as a medium to connect, my perception of the world changed. I now live more in line with my ideals, adhering to my morals and values and am employed by a company that aims to increase the voice and authority of the people who are most affected by mass incarceration and systematic discrimination. “
As with eating together at a table can bring people together and foster a an underlying sense of connection and understanding. There is a lot of power at sharing a table. When you prepare an evening meal for someone else is a chance to show your appreciation and kindness and maybe, even let them in to the new way of life. Food can spark conversation, perhaps about our childhood or where we come from. Food is a stimulant for our senses, awareness and our appreciation. Also, the acceptance of new tastes and smells can result in more acceptance of our varied but shared humanity.
The power of food to unify communities is something that is well-known to Council Member Mike Solomonov. Being a professional chef as well as an an entrepreneur who has experienced that food has the ability in helping combat antisemitism and hate. “When my business partner Steve Cook and I opened our Israeli restaurant in Philadelphia We wanted to make use of our culinary skills to make the experience more human of a widely overlooked area. We were all-in on Israel in the spirit of the notion that a shared experience of eating together can result in cultural advancement. Today, 15 years after the existence of restaurants in the current climate of antisemitism and hate, we have to look our new danger of promoting acceptance in the face and continue striving. If it happens through eating an evening meal in the restaurant we have, then “we’ve completed the job.”
We are grateful to those who have shared your experiences of how the comradery of sports and the social benefits of exercise and the bond that is created through eating together can help bring people together and bridge the gap between them. We encourage everyone to get connected with one another by sharing stories, welcoming new members to your group taking a walk with your neighbors and inviting people to join you at the table.