By Debra Rich Gettleman

It was more than exciting that the Makkabi Berlin team, founded by Holocaust survivors made history by winning the Berlin Cup and qualifying for the German Cup this year. Makkabi Berlin is the first Jewish club to participate in the tournament since its inception under the Nazis in 1935.

Wolfsburg’s Joachim Maehle attampts a goal during German Cup match against Makkabi Berlin on Sunday, August 23rd. photo credit: Andreas Gora/dpa via AP

It was a real David v. Goliath story with Makkabi Berlin made up of a bunch of office and part-time workers battling the professional Volkswagen backed Bundesliga team. With one goal ruled out for offside early in the game, and Wolfsburg driving in two goals early in the second half, the dream of a Makkabi upset vanished.

According to Doron Bruck, Makkabi captain, in an AP post game article, “They were better, you have to give respect. And I think we presented ourselves well.” While Bruck is Jewish, the team, proudly displaying the iconic Star of David on their uniforms, boasts a varied and inclusive line-up of players from all backgrounds and religions.

Makkabi was founded back in 1970 by Holocaust survivors and is proud to be the first Jewish club to compete in the German Cup which excluded Jews when the Nazis restructured the competition in the 1930s.

Debra@Jewishlifenow.com