Rabbi Moshe Lewin, advisor to France’s Chief Rabbi and Conference of European Rabbis Vice President, is set to be the rabbi in charge of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. In this role, he will cater to the spiritual needs of Jewish athletes in the Olympic Village, including members of the Israeli delegation.
Alongside him, representatives of other religions, such as Muslim imams and Christian priests, will also be present to aid those interested in religious ceremonies in the heart of secular France.
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Rabbi Moshe Lewin (left) at the Olympic Village synagogue
(Photo: Conference of European Rabbis)
"I'm not working alone; there are a few other rabbis coming with me, and we accompany those who want to be in good condition both spiritually and physically. We ensure there’s a synagogue in the Olympic Village and that they have the option to eat kosher food," he explained in an interview with Ynet on Monday. "Some members of the Israeli delegation have already arrived there, and some haven’t."
So, if someone wants to eat kosher, pray, or put on tefillin before the competition, you’re there to help?
"Yes, they can also get a blessing from the rabbi."
Do you bless non-Jews as well? How does it work?
"What’s special is that representatives from all religions are present. There’s a synagogue next to a mosque, and next to us, there’s also a Christian priest, and we are all here together. We worked on this for a year and a half with the local interior ministry, and everyone knows each other.
“When we walk around in the Olympic Village together, everyone looks happy to see us together. It doesn't seem strange — because we don't get into politics. We’re here to serve the athletes who come and not look at what's happening in the countries they’re from. We come for the sports. So, everyone knows each other and walks around together, and it gives a good impression."
Rabbi Lewin also addressed the rise in antisemitism in Paris following the war in Gaza, which has led to special security arrangements at the Olympics. "Antisemitism has increased since October 7, and became even worse with the parliamentary elections because of the extreme right and the extreme left," he noted.
"I serve as a rabbi in a fairly large community and also as a special advisor to France’s Chief Rabbi, so I know what’s happening very well. There has been a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents in the months following October 7. It’s very hard to bear, even though we must acknowledge this is happening worldwide, not just in France. There’s antisemitism in the U.S. as well."
Would I be safe walking around in Paris as a Jewish person wearing a kippah? Or would you recommend I wear a hat?
"I can speak for myself. I’m living in the middle of Paris, I go to work with France’s Chief Rabbi every day, and I walk around with a kippah near the Olympic Village as well, which is a less safe area."
Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli said that Paris is dangerous for Jews.
"Honestly, I would prefer if, as the Diaspora Affairs Minister, he would stay silent rather than say such things, because he supported the far-right against all the Jewish community bodies and the Chief Rabbi, who don’t wish for the far-right nor want the far-left. So, when a minister supports [the far-right], he does more harm than good.”
“Maybe he wants to increase antisemitism, maybe that is his intention," he said sarcastically. "We don’t support the far-right. In the recent election, which ended a few weeks ago, one candidate who wore a Nazi cap (referring to politician Ludovine de la Rochere from Marine Le Pen's party, who was ousted following the act)."
Many in Israel support the far-right in France because they might feel like they resemble their feelings toward the Palestinians, do you think they’re mistaken in their thinking?
"Yes, they’re mistaken. They think the far-right loves Israelis, and that’s a very big mistake: they just hate Israelis less than they do Arabs. That’s the mistake. We have ethics, and we have rules we need to uphold. It’s not right to sell our soul to anyone who says, 'I support Israel.' Maybe those who support us want all Jews to come to Israel?”
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Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli
(Photo: Yonatan Sindel)
Is there concern about protests and various demonstrations against Israeli athletes during the Olympics?
"Yes, it’ll be tough. We hope the Israeli athletes succeed, that you win many medals, but there are protests, security issues, things I haven't seen anywhere else because of threats received. One member of the far-left party said Israelis aren’t welcome in France, even if he only represents himself.”
“The Interior Minister was interviewed on French television yesterday and said there would be tight security for every Israeli arriving. But the far-left is exploiting the presence of the Israeli delegation to gain more votes from Arabs — these are areas with many immigrants present. So, they don’t go against Iran, China or North Korea — they only go against Israel."