David Berger (weightlifter)

David Berger (born October 13, 1944, in Shaker Heights, Ohio; died September 6, 1972, in Munich, Germany) was an American-Israeli weightlifter. He was one of the eleven Israeli athletes murdered by Palestinian terrorists from the Black September group during the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Berger earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Tulane University and later earned a master's degree in business administration from Columbia University. He pursued weightlifting in addition to his academic and professional pursuits.

He immigrated to Israel in 1972, hoping to compete for Israel in the Olympics. He competed in the lightweight category (67.5 kg/149 lb). Berger qualified for the Israeli Olympic team and competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Tragically, he, along with ten other members of the Israeli Olympic team, were taken hostage and subsequently killed by the Black September terrorist group.

Berger's death, along with those of the other Israeli athletes and coaches, led to increased security measures at future Olympic Games and other international sporting events. He is remembered as an athlete who pursued his passion while also demonstrating academic and professional excellence, and as a victim of a devastating act of terrorism. His story serves as a reminder of the human cost of political violence and the importance of peace.