The 2026 Winter Olympics start this week, taking over northern Italy from Feb. 6-22. But while Jewish sports fan might be eager to root for their fellow members of the Tribe... there just aren't that many this time around. Canada isn't sending any Jewish athletes that we could find (having snubbed some key hockey players), which leaves the United States and Israel as the only visible representatives of Jewish athletics in this year's winter games.

Fortunately, there are still some unique stories to watch.

A.J. Edelman, who was recently profiled for Scribe Quarterly, has been on a years-long mission to qualify for Olympic sliding sports; he will lead his bobsleigh team—dubbed "Shul Runnings"—after coming 28th in the skeleton competition in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. American curler Korey Dropkin will look to hold Team USA's reigning gold medal in mixed curling. Israel is sending a sizeable delegation of nine athletes, including a brother-sister alpine skiing duo, a nationally celebrated figure skater, and a Floridian lawyer looking to break new ground in skeleton racing.

Hear all about them and more in the latest episode of Menschwarmers.

Credits

• Hosts: James Hirsh and Gabe Pulver

• Producer: Michael Fraiman

• Music: Coby Lipovitch (intro), chēēZ π (main theme, " Organ Grinder Swing ")

Support The CJN

• Follow the podcast on Twitter @menschwarmers

• Subscribe to The CJN newsletter

• Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt)

• Subscribe to Menschwarmers (Not sure how? Click here )

Credits

• Hosts: James Hirsh and Gabe Pulver

• Producer: Michael Fraiman

• Music: Coby Lipovitch (intro), chēēZ π (main theme, " Organ Grinder Swing ")

Support The CJN

• Follow the podcast on Twitter @menschwarmers

• Subscribe to The CJN newsletter

• Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt)

• Subscribe to Menschwarmers (Not sure how? Click here )