Kippah-Wearing Orthodox Jew Wins Obstacle Course TV Show
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Michael Neuman’s yarmulk stayed perfectly in place as he went on to win his episode of the CBS show “Million Dollar Mile.”
Neuman outran pro athlete Veejay Jones for more than a half a mile and through three obstacles, winning $25,000, the Jewish Journal reported. He proudly wore his yarmulke, a traditional Jewish head covering.
“I must’ve put eight bobby pins and two clips to make sure that yarmulke was winning,” the 26-year-old said in a statement.
The episode aired Saturday night, following Shabbat. On “Million Dollar Mile,” produced by LeBron James and hosted by Tim Tebow, contestants go head-to-head with elite athletes, running as quickly as possible through a series of obstacle courses for the chance to win $1 million.
To claim victory, Neuman, a psychotherapist from Miami, had to scale a 15-story building. His faith inspired him to push forth to the finish line.
“I remembered a Holocaust survivor who told me to make a Kiddush Hashem by wearing my yarmulke proudly while doing positive things,” he said. “It gave me an extra burst toward the end.”
Alyssa Fisher is a writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher
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