Local Rabbi Introduces Social Media Star David Portnoy to Tefillin

David Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports digital media, got more than he bargained for after recently taping one of his popular “One Bite” pizza reviews on Fairfax Blvd. Rabbi Zalmy Fogelman of Village Synagogue approached him, and before Portnoy knew it, he was putting on tefillin for the first time.

“While David said he had a bar mitzvah, he never in his life put on tefillin, which is an important part of the bar mitzvah experience.” Rabbi Fogelman said. “It was amazing reciting the Shema with David and making his bar mitzvah ‘official.’”

The tefillin part starts at 6:23 minutes.

Harvey Farr is a Los Angeles-based marketing consultant, writer and photographer.