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“The Jewish people are kind of running out of places where we’re welcome to live,” the former coach told Fox News Digital.
By Shula Rosen
Former Auburn University men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl said antisemitism and support for Israel have become central issues for him, citing his family’s history and his concerns about the future of Jewish communities, in comments to Fox News Digital ahead of receiving the Champion of Israel Award from Manhattan Jewish Experience.
Pearl, who now serves as chair of the U.S. Israel Education Association, said his advocacy is rooted in concerns about the security of Jewish communities.
“Well, some people think it’s political, but it’s really not. It’s really survival. The Jewish people are kind of running out of places where we’re welcome to live,” Pearl told Fox News Digital.
Reflecting on his family’s history, Pearl said his grandfather taught him the significance of the United States as a refuge for Jews escaping persecution.
“This is the greatest country in the world. And I’m an incredible patriot,” he said. “My grandfather made sure that I understood at a very young age that this country saved our family’s life from the pogroms and the Holocaust, and I am grateful.”
Pearl said antisemitism and racism remain challenges but should not be viewed as insurmountable barriers.
“I recognize that antisemitism, racism — being a basketball coach and 90% of my kids are African American — are obstacles, but not roadblocks,” he said. “We’ve been able to navigate.”
Following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel, Pearl became a prominent pro-Israel voice in the sports world.
He told Fox News Digital that public figures should not avoid discussions involving politics and religion.
“We live in an amazing country, and we do have freedom of speech and freedom of thought,” he said. “Unlike some people, I want to have a conversation about religion and politics. I want to be able to respect where we feel differently about different things and have those discussions.”
Pearl said he views speaking publicly as part of his role as an educator.
“I’m a coach, and coaches are teachers,” he said.
The comments were made ahead of Manhattan Jewish Experience’s annual dinner, where Pearl received the organization’s Champion of Israel Award. Rabbi Mark Wildes, founder of MJE, said the group’s mission is to strengthen Jewish identity through educational programming.
“I don’t think we can really expect Jewish people to be able to stand up for themselves if they don’t know what they’re standing up for. So an educated Jew is a proud Jew, and that’s really what MJE is about,” Wildes told Fox News Digital.
Pearl said his goal is to preserve opportunities for future generations, adding: “I just want to make sure that my grandchildren have the same opportunity in this country that I’ve had.”
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