He is obviously anti-sport and I have no intention of trying to change him. However, when he makes statements like "Jews shouldn't be ashamed about our relative lack of prowess at sport" then I feel it appropriate to reply.

If we as Jews accepted this fact and admit defeat, then this negative attitude would also spill out into other areas of life.

The fact is that Jews in general have an exceptionally successful history in sports. Before World War Two there was a disproportionate number of Jewish sportsmen who competed around the world.

My grandfather Oscar represented Austria at athletics and then became a skiing instructor. I am sure there are many in our community who have sporting ancestors that they don't even know about.

Unfortunately, Hitler halted this success and Jews in general had to concentrate on re-establishing themselves in their communities.

It took some time for Jews to do this, but Mark Spitz winning his seven gold medals in the 1972 Olympics cemented the Jewish revival. Mr Spitz was also a successful dentist, which proves there is a strong link between prowess at sport and achievement and endeavour in other areas. Sport does matter and we should encourage all our children to participate in it and do the best that they can.

The three pages in the Jewish Telegraph that are devoted to sport each week are testament to the fact that Jewish sport is booming and has a bright future ahead of it.

I hope most children and families carry on with sport rather than read the negative article by Mr Dorfman.

Eddie Edwards,
Manchester.

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