The Jewish side of football great Johan Cruyff

JACK MILNER

It turns out that Cruyff, the Dutch player with his twinkle toes, one of the greatest players the world has ever seen, who died on March 24, aged 68 after a long illness, had a close relationship with Judaism. In fact, the Holocaust played a major part in his life. 

On a trip to Israel in 2013 to celebrate his son Jordi’s first title-win as Maccabi Tel Aviv sport director, the 1974 World Cup runner-up visited Yad Vashem. While there he entered documents for his wife, Danny’s, family members.

Regina de Groot, Rozette Behr and Judith van den Berg – all sisters of Danny’s uncle – were in their forties when they died in Sobibor and Auschwitz concentration camps.

One of his good friends, Jewish sports journalist Fritz Barend, has now revealed another incident which not only demonstrates Cruyff’s compassion, but his humility as well.

Barend was not yet born when his brother and parents had to flee their home during the German invasion in 1940. They were hidden by a local farmer called Frits, after whom he was named after. Four decades later, with Cruyff due to attend a Netherlands game 25km from the farm, Barend saw a way to repay his namesake.

“I took the man who saved our lives – an old, sick farmer who could only wear wooden shoes because his feet hurt – to see Johan. I said to Johan: ‘This is the guy I told you about, who gave shelter to my family in the war.’ Cruyff said: ‘Oh, of course – you are the guy who saved the lives of Frits’ family. I’m proud of you. How nice to meet you.’

“While others laughed at the old man for wearing wooden shoes, Johan talked to him for five minutes. The farmer died three months later but, before that he could tell his friends: ‘I met Johan Cruyff. He’s a good guy.’”

Barend said the open, friendly way Cruyff spoke to the farmer, was “typical Johan. He behaved the same in the dressing room as he did with the Queen.

“He was the only person in the world who didn’t realise he was Johan Cruyff. That made him so special. I miss him. He was always willing to talk.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv also paid tribute to Cruyff, with players wearing black armbands and commemorative shirts which incorporated his famous No 14 – the number he also wore on his kippah when he used to visit Israel.

Barend explained that Cruyff had been able to have such a profound effect on so many people because he had no interest in those aspects of life that divide people.

“He thought only in terms of human beings, not of religion, politics, race or gender; for him it was just about trying to reach your goals and giving everyone the chance to play sports.”
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 Wonderful success of KDH Sports week

When King David High School Linksfield gear up for a sports week, they do it in style.

This year’s event, which was staged last week, saw the school transformed into a mini Olympic Village with flags, balloons, banners, gazebos and a massive security tank.

It was the project of Head of Sport Greg Hurvitz, who put countless hours into planning the project with Lisa Klotz, who has changed the face of the school sports committee and is the driving force behind its success. 

They even managed to entice Johannesburg Executive Mayor Parks Tau to join them at the opening ceremony to light the torch indicating the start of the event.

Some of the sporting events were quite extraordinary and one that captured the attention was an exhibition tennis match between the Leviner cousins from grade 1 against first team tennis captain Josh Hertz and head boy Daniel Gewer, who is also vice-head of the sports committee.

In other events the first netball team went head-to-head with the first team rugby boys on the netball field.

There were netball matches against Crawford Sandton, rugby contests against teams from Fourways High School and a night six-a-side soccer tournament.

The school was also treated to a talk by Raymond Hack and videos of the week’s events were shown. There was also a tribute paid to the Israeli athletes murdered at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Before the matches, the captains read a pledge reaffirming the commitment their teams have subscribed to of “No to racism, No to anti-Semitism, No to bigotry, No to homophobia, Yes to drug-free sport and Yes to equality in sport”.

The Sports Week had the full support of principal Lorraine Srage and put the spotlight on sporting talent at the school.

Erin Goodman and Erin Lazarus, student heads of the sports committee, assisted with information on this article.