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The 14th European Maccabi Games (EMG) are taking place in Berlin from 27 July until 5 August 2015. More than 2,000 Jewish athletes from 36 countries will compete in 19 sports from football to fencing to chess. To accompany the games Tamar Lewinsky and Theresia Ziehe are producing a series of portraits with interviews, introducing a new member of the German delegation from Berlin every day here on the blog. They conducted the interviews on the grounds of the TuS Maccabi in Berlin’s Grunewald where Stephan Pramme also shot the portraits.

Daliah Hoffmann (24), half-marathon

Daliah (24) Half Marathon © Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Stephan Pramme

Daliah, why are you taking part in the European Maccabi Games?

I’m here because sports are an extremely important part of my life, and, of course, I want to experience this event in Berlin; it’s an opportunity not to be missed. However, I thought twice about it because I’ve already run a half-marathon this year, and that was enough. Yet it’s really nice to run together with family.

What’s required to participate in these Games?

First of all, you have to show you’re Jewish with your birth certificate and those of your family, as far as I can recall. If it were up to me, I’d also let people in who somehow feel connected to the religion. I think it’s unfortunate that some aren’t allowed to be part because they aren’t Jewish on paper, but feel Jewish or were raised Jewish, even if their mother isn’t.

What does Judaism mean to you personally? → continue reading