User:Joltingjoe2

The Rally Rabbi is a popular Bay Area sports figure who comes in late, in important games, and rally's his favorite teams to victory. The Rally Rabbi made his first appearance on August 24th, 2006 at a San Francisco Giants Jewish Heritage Night where he provided the musical introduction for Giants second baseman Ray Durham by playing a traditional Jewish tune on his Shofar. Durham immediately followed hitting the next pitch for a double and with that a star was born. 

With the Giants trailing late in the game the Rally Rabbi was brought back to lead the crowd in a round of "charge" and was then seen later in the game in his seat blowing his "Rally Shofar" after an inspiring scene from Fiddler On The Roof. 

While The Rally Rabbi first created by the San Francisco Giants, his popularity was undeniable and appeared at the Golden State Warriors Jewish Heritage Night on March 12th, 2007. Many believe The Rabbi's presence played a huge role in the Warriors playoff run as he not only helped the Warriors defeat the Mavericks 117-100 snapping their 17 game winning streak, but it also propelled a sub-500% Warriors team to one of the most impressive late season charges in recent sports history leading them to their first playoff birth since 1994. Ironically enough, number 18 (chai) is a lucky number for Jews and it was win #18 the Mavericks didn't get. 

The Rally Rabbi is played by real life Rabbi Yosef Langer, a Hasidic Rabbi with Chabad in San Francisco. Rabbi Langer is well known in San Francisco as he is often seen at Rock Concerts, sporting his leather jacket and riding his motorcycle around town. He also has important duties such as lighting the Minorah in Union Square during Chanaukah. Connected with rockers such as the Grateful Dead, Porno for Pyros and Jane's Addition, Langer shows you can be both an orthodox Jew and part of the Counterculture. 

The Rally Rabbi's popularity continues to grow as the San Francisco Giants have now introduced a Rally Rabbi Bobblehead (wearing #18 of course) being given away at Jewish Heritage Night on August 8th, 2007.[ http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/ticketing/group_special_events.jsp]