Alon Meyer, a 49-year-old real estate agent, is standing on the sidelines of a soccer field in Frankfurt, watching his son’s youth team, Makkabi’s C-Youth, play against FC Kalbach. Despite the game’s score, Meyer, a long-time member of the Jewish Makkabi club, is focused on something far more important than just the match. For him, the absence of rough fouls, insults, or visible anti-Semitism during the game is a major achievement. "It's a fair game," Meyer remarks, emphasizing that the respectful atmosphere on the field is what truly matters.

Meyer’s connection to Makkabi Frankfurt spans four decades. Having been a player, coach, youth leader, and now the club's chairman since 2007, Meyer has seen it all. He’s been insulted and targeted for being Jewish, often enduring hate-filled remarks like “shitty Jew,” and threats of violence. Yet, his resolve to foster peace and mutual respect in sports has never wavered. Meyer also serves as the president of the Makkabi German Jewish sports organization and is an advocate for tackling anti-Semitism within the sports community. His efforts aim to bring together people from all walks of life, regardless of faith, race, or background, through the universal language of sports.

Despite the challenges, Meyer remains steadfast in his belief that sports can act as a bridge to unity, even in the face of growing tensions. The recent violence in Israel, especially the Hamas attack, has exacerbated hostilities in Europe, but Meyer insists that sports can be a platform for healing rather than division. His approach contrasts with the actions seen in some other cities, such as Berlin, where interruptions to matches and training due to political tensions have occurred. Meyer is determined to avoid allowing such disruptions in Frankfurt. For him, the continued participation of Jewish children in sports activities without fear is an essential victory in itself.

One of Meyer’s main concerns is the impact of anti-Semitism on players, many of whom are not Jewish. At Makkabi Frankfurt, a significant portion of the players are from Muslim or Christian backgrounds. Despite this diversity, the club's Jewish identity has made the players targets of prejudice and hate. Meyer explains that devout Muslims on the team are often insulted or labeled as "traitors" for playing for a Jewish team. In a 2021 survey, more than two-thirds of Makkabi soccer players reported experiencing anti-Semitic incidents, even though most of them aren't Jewish. It is a harsh reality that Meyer faces as he works to make the club more inclusive.

Under Meyer’s leadership, Makkabi Frankfurt has grown considerably. He has always been committed to creating a space for people of all faiths, nationalities, and ethnic backgrounds. This inclusiveness has helped the club become more visible and successful. Today, around 80% of Makkabi’s members are not Jewish, which is a testament to Meyer’s vision of a united community through sport. This vision has gained even more importance in recent times, especially as the world grapples with the rise in anti-Semitism and political conflicts that have seeped into everyday life.

Meyer’s optimism is evident during the match between Makkabi and Kalbach. As the game progresses, Meyer watches from the sidelines, exchanging friendly greetings with the Kalbach coach, Farid, a former Makkabi player of Moroccan-Muslim descent. Meyer and Farid share a deep bond, highlighting how sports can bring people together across cultural divides. It is this kind of mutual respect and camaraderie that Meyer is working to preserve in the face of increasing hostility.

However, the Middle Eastern conflict has not left the soccer pitch untouched. A fan from the Kalbach team asks a question that reveals the deep divisions outside the stadium: “Are you for or against Israel?” Meyer is well aware of the heightened tensions and is concerned about the future. While there were no major incidents of anti-Semitism in Frankfurt sports last year, Meyer fears that the growing animosity toward Jews could spill over into the sports community.

In the wake of the October 7th attacks, Meyer, along with other Makkabi leaders, discussed the importance of continuing to engage in sports without interruption. Despite the current climate, they remain united in their refusal to allow anti-Semitism to dictate their actions. “We don’t want to allow ourselves or our club to be driven off the pitch,” Meyer affirms. He refuses to let the bridges he and others have worked so hard to build be torn down by hate and violence. In the face of adversity, Meyer’s vision of sports as a unifying force remains strong, a reminder of the potential for connection and healing even in the darkest times.