The CSU-CU rivalry may be a heated competition, but for these two university rabbis it is nothing but fun and games.
Dressed in full football getup, Colorado State University’s Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik and CU-Boulder’s Rabbi Yisroel Wilhelm posed for the camera in hopes to encourage sportsmanship between the two Universities at Friday’s Rocky Mountain Showdown.
“A lot of our students are going to be going to the game,” Gorelik said. “What a nice way to remind people that rivalry is good and it’s fun, but at the end of the day it should be about fun and games and enjoying yourself.”
For the past few years, both Gorelik and Wilhelm have been trying to get together to do the photo, but the plan never went through. This year, although taken separately and photoshopped together by CU-Boulder’s University photographer, both rabbis had the time to throw on the pads, put on the jerseys and grip the helmet for the gameday shot.
“We had been thinking about doing this for years, but just never got around to it until a few weeks ago when we decided to get this done,” Wilhelm said.
In the past, the rivalry has granted opportunity for students to engage in violent or disrespectful behavior, but Rabbi Wilhelm and Rabbi Gorelik hope their photo grants more joy and sincerity than frustration and disagreement.
“We are both very passionate about our schools and we certainly have a friendly rivalry,” Gorelik said via email. “Yet, we don’t take anything too seriously that would detract from the focus on spreading joy and making the world a happier place for everyone.”
Collegian Reporter Hannah Ditzenberger and Photo Editor Rick Cookson can be reached at news@collegian.com and on Twitter @hannahditzy and @Rickcookson1.
