The Holocaust Museum LA will open a new exhibition in mid‑August that examines the role of Jews in soccer before, during, and after World War II. The project is being chaired by Alan Rothenberg, a veteran sports executive whose own family history is intertwined with the tragedy.
Rothenberg, best known for helping bring the 1994 FIFA World Cup to the United States and for co‑founding Major League Soccer, brings a personal perspective to the show. He has spoken about a distant cousin who survived Auschwitz, a connection that sparked his long‑standing interest in the intersection of Jewish experience and sport.
A Personal Connection to History
The exhibition weaves together archival material, oral histories, and rare artifacts to illustrate how Jewish communities shaped soccer’s early development. Rothenberg’s new book, "The Big Bounce," extends this narrative, covering the period from the 1984 Summer Olympics through the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup and highlighting the sport’s growing drama despite its low‑scoring nature.
Soccer as a Unifying Force
Rothenberg notes that the World Cup has repeatedly served as a rare moment of unity, bringing together fans from disparate nations under a shared passion. He points to the media’s evolving appreciation for the tactical nuance of the game, which often thrives on moments of unexpected brilliance rather than high‑scoring fireworks.
The exhibition also features stories of Jewish athletes who competed at the highest levels before the war, as well as those who rebuilt the sport in the post‑war era. Figures such as Hank Greenberg, a baseball legend who also excelled in soccer, and later trailblazers like Nomar Garciaparra and Alexi Lalas are highlighted to show the breadth of Jewish influence across generations.
From World Cup to MLS
In the early 1990s, Rothenberg helped convince a skeptical American public to embrace international soccer through the 1994 World Cup. The tournament’s success paved the way for Major League Soccer, a venture that transformed soccer’s footprint in the United States and created a new platform for diverse talent, including many from Jewish backgrounds.
The exhibition’s curators hope that visitors will leave with a deeper appreciation for how sport can serve as a conduit for memory, identity, and collective healing. By situating soccer within the larger story of Jewish life before, during, and after the Holocaust, the show aims to spark dialogue about resilience and cultural continuity.