David Berger was an American / Israeli Olympian who completed for Israel in the 1972 Olympics. David Berger along with 10 other Israeli athletes were murdered by heavy armed Arabs who stormed their dormitory. The Arab goal was to use the Israeli athletes as leverage to get Israel to release Arabs from their jails. Read the article below that has the details of the attack and the making of the sculpture.

The memorial has the five rings of the Olympic symbol broken in half on top of a platform composed of 11 segments. The broken rings symbolize the broken Olympic games. The 11 segments represent the eleven athletes who died.

When the original home was shut down, the Mandel Jewish Community Center (aka Mandel JCC) became the new home. The Mandel JCC reminded us of a large YMCA. The facility had day care, pool, community areas, gym, etc. When we asked if they were a Jewish YMCA, they said, “No, we are much more than that.” Next, they basically described a YMCA. We think it has more of a religious slant, better security, and a few other amenities, such as meeting rooms, lounging areas, etc. The facility was extremely nice. Not ritzy, but well maintained and clean.

Unlike a YMCA, the Mandel JCC had art that was not just about their app, history, or membership drives. We do not read Yiddish, but most of the art had plaques to enlighten the non-believers.

See link to the National Park Page on the David Berger Monument: https://www.nps.gov/places/david-berger-national-memorial.htm