In March 1938, 21-year-old Jewish athlete Max Sheldon traveled from Germany to Palestine to compete in track and field at the third international Maccabiah Games. While he was at the competition, he received communication from his family telling him not to return to Germany, where conditions for Jews were fast deteriorating. That message saved his life—and inspired generations of Sheldons, including his grandson Derek Sheldon, who now lives in Northern California and devotes his time to the Jewish sports community.
In this program, Derek is interviewed about his grandfather’s legacy and his life as a 3G by Stephanie Butnick, Tablet Magazine Deputy Editor and co-host of the leading Jewish podcast Unorthodox.
Watch the program below.