ANT KATZ

‘Super Mitzvah 50’

Two US rabbis got together to ensure that their congregations were able to donate substantially to local Jewish charities with a unique fundraiser using their nation’s most-watched sporting event. It was a win-win outcome – with double the winnings for one of their communities.

Rabbi Judith Schindler of Temple Beth El in Charlotte and Rabbi Joe Black of Temple Emanuel in Denver devised a wager that would ensure that both of their Reform communities donate to charity, an event they dubbed “Super Mitzvah 50”.

RIGHT: Cam Newton and his Panthers ensured that one third of the money raised will go to the Shalom Park Freedom School in Charlotte, Carolina, which offers summer programmes to low-income children

(Christian Peterson/Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

As ReformJudaism.org reported, two-thirds of the money raised in a joint online fundraiser went to a charity chosen by the shul in the winning city, Denver, while the other third will go to the losing city, Santa Clara.

After the 24-10 win by the Denver team, the larger share will go to Denver’s Jewish Family Service, which provides meals to families in need. The two shuls raised around $5 500 (R88 000).

Denver scored the lion’s share

Schindler makes a convincingly funny case in a promotional video that the Panthers are “God’s chosen team.” “The South is the Bible belt,” she quips, “and Carolina is the buckle of the Bible belt.”

LEFT: Peyton Manning played the final game of his astonishing 18-year career and he couldn’t have scripted the ending better – ensuring the Lion’s share of the shuls’ fundraiser will go to Denver’s Jewish Family Service 

(Christian Peterson/Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Rabbi Schindler also pointed out that the southern state’s star quarterback, Cam Newton, recently named his son Chosen – bringing to mind the phrase “the chosen people”. She also said that if the Panthers won, their overall record (including regular and post-season games) would have resulted in an 18-1 record. Of course, 18 means “life” and “good luck” in the Jewish tradition, she postured, this couldn’t be coincidence.

In the end, though, it was Denver that represented the chosen people.