Flashback: A Yom Kippur Running Diary

Yom Kippur Preparation

Bernstein says that as a kid, coming from New York, any games conflicting with major Jewish holidays were cancelled.  So he didn’t have a decision to make about playing on Yom Kippur during his prep career.

Sandy Koufax of course famously refused to pitch on Yom Kippur during the 1965 World Series.

Bernstein said he consulted closely with his father over the summer.  The elder Bernstein (Papa Bear?)  told him to make a decision about playing close to the season something the younger Bernstein greatly appreciated.  He never claims to be super religious but did note the importance of being part of Jewish traditions.

The Penn State Wisconsin game was scheduled for early evening.  Yom Kippur started the previous evening with Kol Nidre services which Bernstein attended.  That’s when Jews fast abstaining from food or water for roughly 24 hours. I’ll take his word for it about breaking the fast.  Mine usually involves chugging a gatorade.

Was the Penn State game the only Badger game that conflicted with a major Jewish holiday?

Yes.  I  I have played on Rosh Hashanah which I feel is okay.  But I would never practice or play on Yom Kippur.  Yes, I kind of fudged the times but I still made it 24 hours before the Penn State game from 4:30 p.m. Friday to 4:45 p.m on Saturday.  Breaking your fast on a kick return is honestly really cool.

Did Yom Kippur change anything in how you prepared for Penn State that week?

It changed what I did on Friday night with no eating after 4:30 p.m. and not warming up or anything before the game.  I went to HiIllel Saturday for temple with my brother Alex, who was a sophomore, and my parents.  Alex and I held the Torah and dressed it.  That was super special for my parents and also for us.  Hillel was packed and it was a huge honor.  Then the shuttle came to pick me up and bring me back to the stadium.  It was weird to sit in the locker room while the team warmed up.  It was kind of boring [remember no smart phones] and all I wanted was a bagel and lox.  Instead I was given two IV bags for safety.

What did the coaching staff say when you told them about Yom Kippur and your plan?

They were all really cool about it.  I told Coach Alvarez and Coach White, my position coach, what I needed from them and they made it all happen.  That felt really great.  Also, by this time my teammates knew the significance of Yom Kippur and understood what I had to do.