Manischewitz, which was founded in Cincinnati in 1888 before relocating to the New York metropolitan area, first dipped its toes in student athlete partnerships last year, when then-Brigham Young University quarterback Jake Retzlaff (the \u201cB-Y-Jew\u201d) was featured on a set of matzah boxes. (Retzlaff has since transferred to Tulane University.)<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\tGet The Times of Israel’s Daily Edition
\n\t\t\tby email and never miss our top stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\tBy signing up, you agree to the terms<\/a><\/p>\n Student athlete deals had previously been off the table until 2021, when the NCAA implemented new rules allowing players to profit off their name, image and likeness. Seidman said the success of last year\u2019s promotion convinced Manischewitz to expand the process.<\/p>\n \u201cWe knew we tapped into something big, and we wanted to continue,\u201d Shani Seidman, Manischewitz\u2019s chief marketing officer, said in an interview.<\/p>\n \t Now, throughout December and January, Manischewitz has an open nomination form to which anybody can submit their choice, for both a men\u2019s and women\u2019s division. The form asks not only what sport and school the athlete participates in, but also the question, \u201cWhy are they a great representative of the Jewish community?\u201d<\/p>\n In February, finalists will be revealed and the decision will be put to a vote on social media; the voting results will be decided by the general public, as well as a weighted vote by a \u201cteam of experts\u201d on the Manischewitz side, and the winner announced in March.<\/p>\n Seidman said the voting criteria include how much the nominee \u201cexcels\u201d in their sport, as well as what Manischewitz is calling their \u201cmensch meter.\u201d<\/p>\n That \u201cmensch meter\u201d means looking for a winner \u201cwho is part of the community, has a strong Jewish identity, and contributes to their community,\u201d Seidman said. \u201cWe want to spotlight Jewish excellence in all of these areas.\u201d<\/p>\n Seidman said last year\u2019s Retzlaff matzah boxes sparked an \u201coutpouring\u201d of excitement, with numerous Jewish athletes and teams reaching out about potential partnerships. Manischewitz sponsored and designed the bright orange jerseys of a Jewish youth Idaho ice hockey team called the Flying Latkes, Seidman said.<\/p>\n This coming spring, the two winners of Manischewitz\u2019s search will be awarded by having their face printed on limited-edition matzah boxes, as well as a $10,000 cash prize and recognition from the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n While the winners will come away from the search with unleavened glory, the social media voting process itself will be \u201ca great platform to celebrate\u201d and introduce Jewish student athletes from around the country to a larger, more national audience, Seidman said.<\/p>\n In a release about the initiative, Manischewitz pointed to Jewish student athletes as not only high achievers, but also some of the most visible Jewish figures on campus.<\/p>\n \u201cFor years, Jewish college athletes have been breaking stereotypes, smashing expectations, and dominating across every sport in the NCAA. What people don\u2019t realize is that these athletes are often the most prominent Jewish representatives on campus,\u201d the press release reads.<\/p>\n \u201cManischewitz wants to give these athletes the recognition they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n
In this season of DocuNation, you can stream five outstanding Israeli documentaries with English subtitles and then join a live online discussion with the filmmakers. The selected films show Israel beyond the conflict: a place of storytellers and musicians, of dreamers, makers, and communities rooted in meaning and trust.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t When you watch DocuNation, you\u2019re also supporting Israeli creators at a time when it\u2019s increasingly difficult for them to share their work globally.<\/p>\n To learn more about DocuNation: The Heart of Israel, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t
\t\t\t
\t\t\tAlready a member? Sign in to stop seeing this<\/a><\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t You clearly find our careful reporting valuable, in a time when facts are often distorted and news coverage often lacks context.<\/p>\n Your support is essential to continue our work. We want to continue delivering the professional journalism you value, even as the demands on our newsroom have grown dramatically since October 7.<\/p>\n So today, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6 a month you’ll become our partners while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing\u00a0exclusive content\u00a0available only to Times of Israel Community members.<\/p>\n Thank you, \t\t\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25285214687772-640x400.jpg\")
<\/a>
\n\t\tTulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) runs during an NCAA football game against East Carolina on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo\/Matthew Hinton)<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tWatch DocuNation Season 3: The Heart of Israel\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\twhen you join the ToI Community\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n![\"Featured](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SHHOTING-IN-THE-CANADIAN-HIGH-ARCTIC-2015.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tSupport ToI and get DocuNation\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tSupport ToI and get DocuNation\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tYou appreciate our journalism\t\t\t<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DH-new-headshot-circular.png\" "\\"\\"\/")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tJoin Our Community\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n