Robert Kraft Responds—A “What If” Story That Will Hopefully Come True
To my pleasant surprise, Robert Kraft, billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and founder of the Blue Square Alliance, sent me the following email in response to my blog in Times of Israel.
Dear Mort,
I enjoyed reading your blog, Next Year’s Jewish Super Bowl Ad-—The Diaspora Self-Defense Fund. It made me think deeply and reminded me of one of my core convictions: wealthy Jews have a responsibility to help less fortunate Jews gain access to self-defense training.
Throughout my life, I’ve learned that relying on others to protect one’s safety is risky at best.
As I read your piece, I pictured a group of Jewish students sprinting across the Yard at Harvard University, wearing black boxing shorts emblazoned with a yellow Magen David. I was reminded of Max Baer, the Jewish heavyweight champion who defeated Max Schmeling, Hitler’s favored fighter. Baer proudly wore a Star of David on his trunks.
I also imagined grandparents watching The Karate Kid, The Karate Kid II, and Cobra Kai with their grandchildren—then encouraging them to enroll in karate classes. I would happily fund dojos built in the basements of Hillel houses. I can already see those grandparents beaming with pride as they attend their grandchildren’s black belt ceremonies.
I intend to create and fund the National Jewish Martial Arts Coalition—including Taekwondo, Judo, Krav Maga, Jiu-Jitsu, and Karate—along with the Diaspora Self-Defense Fund.
I can’t wait to read that 150,000 American Jewish college students have completed formal martial arts training. I can already imagine the headline:
“Jewish Martial Arts Students Fight Back Against Antisemitism.”
I would very much like to meet you in person to discuss this important initiative and brainstorm next steps together. Please contact my office with a few proposed dates.
Sincerely,
Robert Kraft
Founder and CEO of the Blue Square Alliance
