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Teaming Up Against Hate: Jewish Representation in Sports

Featuring Dan Grunfeld, More Speakers to Come..., Ryan Lavarnway

Mar 3, 11:30am-12:30pm ET
Discover how athletes are leveraging their influence to combat antisemitism and champion unity. This dynamic panel will emphasize the importance of Jewish representation and explore best practices for building welcoming sports environments from youth leagues to collegiate athletic programs to professional teams. Featuring perspectives from athletes, coaches, and everyday sports advocates, this discussion will equip participants with actionable strategies to support athletes and individuals from all backgrounds and cultivate respectful communities across every level of play. Join us for an inspiring look at how sports can effectively address antisemitism, drive unity and create positive change.

Speakers

Dan Grunfeld

Author of By the Grace of the Game

Dan Grunfeld is a former professional basketball player, an accomplished writer, and a proud graduate of Stanford University. An Academic All-American and All-Conference basketball selection at Stanford, Dan played professionally for eight seasons in top leagues around the world, including in Germany, Spain, and Israel. Dan is the author of the critically acclaimed book, By the Grace of the Game, and his writing has been published more than 40 times in media outlets such as Sports Illustrated, The Jerusalem Post, and NBC News. Dan earned his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2017 and lives with his wife and sons in Northern Virginia, where he works in venture capital.

More Speakers to Come…

Ryan Lavarnway

World Series Champion, Olympian & Inspirational Keynote Speaker

Ryan Lavarnway is proof that resilience, adaptability, and determination can lead to incredible success – no matter the odds.

As someone who’s been added to and removed from Major League Baseball rosters more than anyone else in history, Ryan’s story isn’t just about success—it highlights the power of perseverance. Overcoming every obstacle, he built an impressive 10-year MLB career as a catcher, became a World Series Champion, and competed as an Olympian.

Ryan now brings his winning mindset beyond the diamond as a speaker and mentor, inspiring teams and individuals to unlock their potential through adaptability, resilience, and self-belief.