Lesung mit Monty Ott und Ruben Gerczikow: Juden auf dem Platz – Juden auf den Rängen . Fußball und Jüdisches Leben: Geschichten von Solidarität und Herausforderung

Soccer is more than just a game—and Jewish people are right in the thick of it. “Jews on the Field, Jews in the Stands” offers an in-depth panorama of the Jewish presence in German soccer—authentic, compelling, and multifaceted. Whether on the field or in the stands: solidarity and exclusion, identity and antisemitism collide here. The book weaves together stories of hope—such as acts of solidarity following the massacres of October 7, 2023—with critical observations and voices from Israel and Germany. Supported by the Werder Bremen Foundation, it offers insights that go beyond stereotypical attributions: promoting diversity, visibility, and social cohesion in the stadium and beyond.
The Editors:
Monty Ott is a political scientist, religious studies scholar, and political writer. In his work, he examines antisemitism, the culture of remembrance, intersectionality, and queerness, bringing new perspectives to social debates. With his highly acclaimed essay “Inzwischen ist es kalt geworden” (“It Has Gotten Cold in the Meantime”), published in DIE ZEIT in early 2023, he provided a concise analysis of antisemitism in left-wing movements—thereby anticipating developments that came into sharper focus after October 7, 2023. For over a decade, he has been actively involved in educational work critiquing antisemitism. He is currently working on his dissertation on “Queer Jewish Theology.”
Ruben Gerczikow is an author and journalist. He researches antisemitic structures in both the analog and digital spheres. In the past, he has written for numerous print and online media outlets in Germany. His publications address the topics of antisemitism, right-wing extremism, Islamism, and contemporary Jewish life. In 2025, *Medium* magazine named him one of the state’s “Top 30 Under 30” emerging talents.
The event is taking place as part of the project “Anti-Semitism Prevention with Lower Saxony Adult Education” (ANNE III). ANNE III is funded by the Lower Saxony State Democracy Center (L-DZ). The authors of this publication are responsible for the content and opinions expressed herein.
Admission is free. Donations are welcome.