The foregoin letter was sent to Dr. Lazarus, who replied as follows

'Nothing Specifically Jewish in Athletics'? Sport, Physical Recreation and the Jewish Youth Movement in London, 1895–1914

“…54 Regular competition was forthcoming when the West Central, together with Brady Street, Victoria and Stepney, chose to join the London Federation of Working Boys' Clubs between 1901 and 1905 and began competing in their gymnastics and physical drill tournaments. 55 The success of Jewish gymnasts against their non-Jewish neighbours in the capital was signifi cant because it heartened the established Jewish community at a juncture when increasingly negative discussions surrounding Jewish physicality were beginning to emerge. During the fi nal debates on the Aliens Bill in 1904, which came into force the following year and introduced restrictions on further Jewish immigration, a number of statements were made by politicians about the negative effect that the reportedly 'substandard' Jewish immigrant physique could have on the future prosperity of the country.…”