Museum of Jewish Heritage spotlights Holocaust survivor's pro-soccer career during World Cup

The Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York is currently showcasing an installation dedicated to the remarkable life of Paul Mahrer, a Holocaust survivor who also led a career as a professional soccer player. The exhibit, running from May 31 to July 31, draws from the museum's collection of archival photos, letters, and documents.

Titled "Tell Our Boy That I Played Soccer Again," the installation focuses on the poignant letters exchanged between Mahrer and his wife while they were held in separate concentration camps during the Holocaust. The exhibit's name is derived from a letter Mahrer wrote, expressing his love for his family and the sport that defined his career, hoping his son would know of his resilience.

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Tell our boy that I played soccer again and even played well and was successful.

Before being deported to the Theresienstadt concentration camp in 1942, Mahrer represented the Czechoslovakian national team at the 1924 Paris Olympics. He continued to play internationally through the 1920s and 1930s. He was among 140,000 Jewish people imprisoned at Theresienstadt, with over three-quarters of them perishing.

The museum's decision to highlight Mahrer's story aligns with New York hosting the World Cup. His life serves as a testament to the profound impact of sports, offering solace and a ritual of sustenance even amidst unimaginable hardship. Jack Kliger, president and CEO of the Museum of Jewish Heritage, stated, "Paul Mahrer’s story reminds us of the power of sport, and the rituals that sustain us, in times of joy and through unimaginable hardship."

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Paul Mahrer’s story reminds us of the power of sport, and the rituals that sustain us, in times of joy and through unimaginable hardship.