By Elizabeth Johnson
Before kickoff at the Carolina Panthers wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams last month, tens of thousands of fans rose for a few minutes of quiet reflection led not by a priest or a pastor, but by a rabbi.
Rabbi Asher Knight of Temple Beth El delivered the pregame invocation at Bank of America Stadium, marking a notable example of Jewish visibility on one of Charlotte’ s largest civic stages.
The invitation, Rabbi Knight shared, grew out of a relationship with the Carolina Panthers that has developed over time and
a shared belief that these settings can reflect the city at its best.
“ For the Jewish community, being part of moments like this is a way of saying we belong here, and that we care deeply about the shared life of this city,” he said.
The appearance came as the Panthers returned to the postseason for the first time in eight years, a night charged with anticipation and Queen City pride regardless of the final score.
While the season did come to a close, the night reflected a city showing up together for something larger than the outcome on the field.
The Charlotte Jewish News- February 2026- Page 9
“ May We Leave Here Better Than We Arrived”: A Rabbi Takes the Field Before Panthers Playoff Game
Rabbi Asher Knight at Bank of America Stadium in uptown Charlotte
Rabbi Knight framed the setting simply:“ This isn’ t about bringing religion into a stadium. It’ s about helping ground a moment of intensity and attention in values like dignity, respect, and character.”
His prayer reflected that focus.“ This game matters,” he said during the invocation.“ And what we bring to it matters more.”
He prayed for the safety of the athletes and for intensity guided by discipline and respect, asking the occasion to be remembered“ for the character with which it was carried,” and closing with a simple yet powerful sentiment:
“ May we leave here better than we arrived.”
“ My hope is that the prayer served as a brief pause,” Rabbi Knight said afterward,“ A reminder of who we want to be with one another, on the field, in the stands, and across our community. I’ m honored to play a small role in a significant moment that means so much to the Panthers, to Charlotte, and to the greater region.”
In a city where football is a shared language, the invocation offered a quiet interval before former quarterback Cam Newton struck the“ Keep Pounding” drum and the roar of kickoff
Repro Rights Shabbat: Turning to Jewish Tradition in a Complicated Moment
By Nicole Sidman, Director of Congregational Life
At a time when access to reproductive health care is increasingly uncertain across our country, many Jewish communities are turning to something steady and enduring for guidance: our tradition.
This February, congregations nationwide will gather for Repro Shabbat, a national initiative of the National Council of Jewish Women( NCJW) that invites Jewish communities to explore how Jewish texts and values speak to reproductive freedom and care. Temple Beth El is proud to once again be part of this national moment of learning and reflection.
Repro Rights Shabbat is observed on the Shabbat when we read Parshat Mishpatim, the Torah portion that lays out a framework for civil law and responsibility. Mishpatim, which means“ laws,” offers important insight into how Judaism understands human dignity, bodily autonomy, and our obligations to one another.
Reverend Dr. Rebecca Todd Peters and Rabbi Lexi Erdheim
This Torah portion lays the foundation for Judaism’ s approach to reproductive ethics, affirming that a woman is a full and complete person, created b’ tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, and that while a fetus carries the potential for life, it is understood as part of her body, with its status and claims always secondary to the life, dignity, and rights of the pregnant woman.
On Friday, Feb. 13, Temple Beth El will mark its third annual Repro Rights Shabbat by welcoming Reverend Dr. Rebecca Todd Peters, author, Professor of Religious Studies, and Founding Director of the Poverty and Social Justice Program at Elon University. Rev. Dr. Peters is a leading voice at the intersection of religion and reproductive justice. Her research has yielded the largest known collection of data on religiously identified people who have had abortions, exploring how religious identity informs the decision to have an abortion and lifting voices of women from across denominations and lived experiences.
Each year, Repro Rights Shabbat offers more than a moment of learning. It is also a chance to reflect and recommit as a community to showing up for one another and supporting organizations that put Jewish values in action.
For example, last year, in connection with Repro Rights Shabbat, Jam, Temple Beth El’ s young adult group, raised money for our The Red Tent Fund, an abortion access fund rooted in Jewish values that we are proud to call a partner. With support from congregations like ours, The Red Tent Fund provided funding for more than 1,000 patients to receive essential health took over the stadium.
For many Jewish Charlotteans, it was a visible affirmation of presence, pride and belonging, shared on a charged Saturday, when many were watching.
care.
This year’ s Repro Rights Shabbat at Temple Beth El is sponsored by our Social Justice Committee and reflects a long-standing partnership with the National Council of Jewish Women, whose leadership has helped center Jewish values in reproductive justice work nationwide.
Temple Beth El invites the community to join us on Feb. 13 at 6:13 p. m. as we continue to affirm that reproductive justice is an expression of Jewish values, encompassing compassion, care, and dignity. Following services, please join us for a special Oneg, offering space to connect and carry our sacred values beyond our sanctuary and into the world we help shape every day.