Sports are a center of our society, but eSports are quickly blooming to such heights. Multiple major tournaments occur every year with viewership on the scale of the Super Bow eSports teams have emerged in the wake of the growing competitive scene and these teams have taken on a life of their own. Many teams have attracted major sponsorships and there are large eSports organizations like Luminosity Gaming that handle multiple teams and players at one time.
eSports teams have also been noted as a great bonding experience for the people involved. Many in the fighting game eSports scene have developed large communities around them, and competitive games in general have become a bonding experience that bring people together. It is with this in mind that we now discuss Lost Tribe eSports.
Lost Tribe eSports is an eSports organization with a mission statement to bring in Jewish gamers and provide a place for them. The organization was founded by Lenny Silberman in 2018 and has seen a major boost since the Covid-19 Pandemic began, with over 4000 players joining in. Silberman is the former North American director of the Maccabi Games and has stated that Lost Tribe eSports is simply doing what the Maccabi Games did, but for the video game scene.
Many Jewish gamers are finding a safe space with Lost Tribe, including young female gamers who are being given a place away from harassment and toxic behavior. Given that the tournaments are aimed at youths, there are a lot of safety protocols to be taken to prevent any harm coming to the gamers. With recent controversy spreading about abuse and harassment in the eSports scene, this is a welcome change away from what was the established norm. Many Jewish gamers have also been subjected to anti-Semitic harassment online during their play sessions, so Lost Tribe has an important role, not only in protecting but establishing means to ensure anti-Semites cannot track down and harm anyone. Sadly this is a needed measure due to an increase in extremist activity, with Jews of all walks of life finding themselves as prime targets.
In looking up information about Lost Tribe eSports, I spoke to several young Jews from a variety of backgrounds. Most were enthusiastic about the concept, and feel it is a good way for them to meet others with similar interests. One teenager, David, told me he feels it is a good way for his parents to understand what he is into and it will bring acceptance of his gaming interests. Because Lost Tribe intends to bring some Jewish content into their mission, such as emphasizing Shabbat and a connection to Jewish roots, parents I spoke to also feel intrigued about the concept.
All thing being said however, not everyone is sold on the concept and some feel the group is exclusionary to certain Jews. This gamer, who asked to be anonymous, noted that while Lost Tribe does not hold events on Shabbat, they do hold events on certain holidays when Orthodox Jews are not able to. I was provided this email he sent them, which I am reposting with permission.
I heard about this eSports league from an article. I am an orthodox Jewish gamer and I am appalled that some of these tournaments are taking place on Jewish holidays. I would have loved to take part in the Super Smash Bros. tournament this Sunday, but I cannot because it is on Simchas Torah. I request for the league to not have tournaments on Jewish holidays as well as the Sabbath on Saturdays. Let’s include everyone in the tournaments, including myself.
While some non-Orthodox Jews do not feel the same way, this does raise an interesting point about Orthodox Jewish gamers feeling left out and isolated in the gaming scene. Orthodox Jews are often stereotyped as avoiding the internet and gaming, the reality is that many Jews of the Modern Orthodox strain, do engage in gaming and are passionate about the hobby.
Lost Tribe eSports is doing something special by establishing a safe space for young Jews to come together and enjoy a shared hobby, and their intention to bring Jewish subject matter is commendable as well. If there was a way to connect to all Jews, it would be even better as well. Ultimately what Lost Tribe eSports is doing is important, and it would be amazing if more groups would do this as well. Perhaps another group could create a league for Orthodox Jewish gamers, as a way for the Orthodox community to take care of that issue themselves. What was started was a necessary step for Jewish gamers, and I am eager to see what comes next for the scene.