Leap of faith: Tribalism
Football is definitely not ‘only’ a game
Anyone who ever thought themselves brave enough to suggest to an irate or devastated football fan that they should keep things in perspective because “it’s only a game” are either naïve or uninitiated. I made the remark as an innocent nine-year-old but the rebuke was such that never have I used the phrase again!
Every time I think I understand the finer details – from the offside rule to the hydration breaks – which enable me to be the most supportive mum of a football fan, more nuance comes into the equation to continue my education.
As England kicked off for their first game of the World Cup 2026 tournament, I was realy to be a full England fan. It seemed easy. No clash of identities against Croatia; however beautiful Dubrovnik is as a gorgeous city break it didn’t open up the timeless youth movement debate that an England v Israel duel might have.
With some unexpected booing from the sofa in the first few minutes of the game, Harry Kane gets a penalty and this is where the education begins.
I realise however much my son the England fan wants England to win, the Arsenal fan in him loved the idea of Harry Kane (Tottenham’s former saviour) missing the goal. I think the fact he managed to miss and then score was perhaps the perfect compromise outcome for this identity interplay.
These competing identities might be easy to see when it’s a question of team shirts and chants from the football sidelines, but we are always falling foul of this phenomenon – it’s part of societal dynamics all the time.
When antisemitism is making us feel vulnerable, the concept of British Jewry feels unified and strong. We stand alongside each other in our solidarity and vulnerability. No one showed any interdenominational prejudice when a Reform Synagogue was on the receiving end of an arson attack, just as we all feel exposed and helpless when a Charedi man or an Israeli woman are attacked on the street.
Yet so often it’s the way we divide ourselves into smaller and smaller component parts within the Jewish community that leaves us vulnerable and unable to represent ourselves as effectively or as quickly as we might otherwise. I sometimes worry that there is more prejudice against Jews who are ‘different’ from ourselves than even the prejudice which comes at us from the outside. We take that prejudice for granted because it is so interwoven among us but how often do conversations happen which ‘other’ fellow Jews?
The horror of a loved one having “gone frum” or having a Rabbi from “The Reform” officiating at their child’s wedding. What are we doing? The hateful banter might be fine for the football fans. We don’t need Arsenal and Spurs fans to say “let’s put our team affiliations to one side for the good of the game” but this tribalism within the tribalism is doing us no good.
Rabbi Miriam Berger is Founder Director of Wellspring UK
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
