Jews around the world were talking about the Super Bowl winning New England Patriots, and the Jews that were part of the team.

First off there is team-owner Robert Kraft.

Kraft grew up in an observant Jewish home, has been an outspoken supporter of Israel and has arranged trips for NFL Hall of Famers to the Holy Land. Kraft was awarded Israel’s 2019 Genesis Prize in recognition of his philanthropy and commitment to combating anti-Semitism.

The $1 million award, widely known as the “Jewish Nobel” prize, is granted each year to a person recognized as an inspiration to the next generation of Jews through professional achievement and commitment to Jewish values.

This past Friday, a video went viral on social media of a “kvittel” being placed in the Kosel on behalf of Mr. Kraft. (YWN has not confirmed that Kraft actually requested this be done).

Yeshiva University celebrated its 85th Commencement Ceremony on May 25, 2016 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Robert Kraft, founder, chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group and owner of the New England Patriots, delivered the keynote address and received an honorary doctorate. The speech was filled with Hebrew words.

Kraft got emotional when he spoke about his father, the former lay leader at Congregation Kehillath Israel in Brookline, Massachusetts, with whom he’d study Torah and Pirkei Avos with.

Meanwhile, Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman caused social media to light up with Jewish pride. Many were ecstatic about the ‘Jewish’ player that had been given the MVP award, with prominent news sites calling him “the first Jewish Super Bowl MVP”.

10 catches.

141 yards.

1 MVP. pic.twitter.com/6Uoy0l3PpV — New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 4, 2019

After the game, an interviewer asked Edelman how he felt about earning the MVP award.

“It sounds crazy, it sounds crazy. 2018. L’Chaim!” he said.

Julian Edelman is the first Jewish player to get the #SuperBowl⁠ MVP! L’Chaim is a Hebrew toast meaning “to life”.#Patriots pic.twitter.com/jWgHItLT4p — Sean Corcoran (@seacorc) February 4, 2019

Edelman has on many occasions displayed his love for Israel, and made many openly pro-Jewish remarks.

In a 2014 game, Edelman wore an Israeli flag-shaped pin, he has tweeted about Jewish holidays, went on a birthright-sponsored trip to Israel, and wrote a children’s book about that mentioned Theodor Herzl.

After the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in October that killed 11 Jews, he wore special cleats with Hebrew on them to honor the victims.

But many on social media were debating if Edelman is in fact Jewish.

The player himself made the following statement after the 2012 Superbowl, which he also played in as a member of the Patriots:

“Well, I’m not completely Jewish, if you know what I mean. I know people want me to be. My father is Jewish. My mother isn’t. I’ve been asked this before. I guess you could say I’m kind of Jewish but not really.”

According to Halacha (Jewish law), one must have Jewish mother to be considered Jewish.

For those unaware, the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, or Super Bowl MVP, is presented annually to the most valuable player of the Super Bowl, the National Football League’s (NFL) championship game. The winner is chosen by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 football writers and broadcasters who vote after the game.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)