The Olympics

In response to the Olympics opening ceremony this past Friday, I made some remarks at Friday night services regarding what I have perceived to be a mistake that the Olympic committee is making by not recognizing the tragic murders of 40 years ago.


In Paris, on November 25th, 1892, Pierre de Coubertin stated, in his attempt to resurrect the Olympic Games: "That is the true Free Trade of the future; and the day it is introduced into Europe the cause of Peace will have received a new and strong ally..."in the Olympic Games.

This utopian vision was a huge part of the 19th century.  The wonderful ideal that we could overcome humanity’s foibles, and enter a messianic age brought about by our own actions, without waiting for G-d to do it for us.   For the Jewish people this vision was manifest in the ideals of the Reform Movement and Zionism.  Each of these were amazing visions of what the world could be, and a belief in humanity’s capacity to create that world.   

This vision of a world perfected by humanity’s activities was shattered time and again, in each moment where humanity’s capacity for evil has been presented throughout the 20th century.  Tonight marks one of the moments where the olympic vision of collaboration and as a symbol for peace was broken. Tonight marks the 40th anniversary of the 11 Israeli athletes and one German police officer slain by terrorists in Munich in 1972.   This tragedy that marrs Coubertin’s olympic vision was not officially recognized by the olympic community by a moment of silence in today’s opening ceremony.  In an attempt to provide a tikkun, a repair, for their choice not to remember these fallen men and women, before the Kaddish this evening, we will take a moment to remember those that died in munich so tragically 40 years ago.


Growing up my Rabbi, Howard Herman of Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation, included every Jewish tragedy of the 20th century along with our regular Kaddish remembrance including the 11 Israeli olympiads. By making it our minhag, our custom to recall those that died in tragedy and al kiddush haShem, for the sanctification of G-d's name he reminded us week to week that the world we live in is not yet perfected, but is one that is marred by war and turmoil. However, it is out of that ideal of the 19th century, that we can perfect the world, that we as a Jewish community still strive to make our world closer to a world perfected. For while the 20th century has taught us that the ability to perfect our world is a challenge, and far from a reality, we remember the words of Pirkei Avot,
לא עליך כל המלאכה לגמור, ולא אתה בן חורין ליבטל

It is not incumbent upon you to complete the work, but neither are you at liberty to desist from it (Pirkei Avot 2:21)

The work is hard, and the vision is vast, but we will continue to work towards a better world, in which those that have fallen will be remembered for their sacrifice.