Those who follow college basketball closely will know that the University of Kentucky’s much-admired coach, John Calipari, is leaving for Arkansas. Among those wishing him well is the local Chabad rabbi Shlomo Litvin, who developed a friendship with the coach. Kelsey Dallas writes:
Rabbi Litvin described getting to know Calipari through a series of casual run-ins at a coffee shop. The two men would exchange polite hellos and sometimes chat about the latest developments affecting campus life. But in late 2018, after eleven people died during the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, their conversation took on a more serious tone, Rabbi Litvin said. Calipari, who grew up in Pennsylvania and used to work in Pittsburgh, expressed his concern and offered his support.
“He compassionately shared how horrified he was by the shooting, inquired how our community was, and how I was doing personally. He shared about his own connections to the city. Then he asked: How can I help?” Rabbi Litvin wrote.
Calipari ultimately agreed to be part of a menorah-lighting ceremony for Hanukkah, even though the event was taking place during basketball season. . . . Calipari and Rabbi Litvin went on to work together on other community initiatives, including a rebuilding effort after a tornado hit Kentucky in 2021.
Read more on Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/faith/2024/04/10/john-calipari-to-arkansas-kentucky-rabbi-gratitude/