Aerin Frankel

How is it possible that the 2026 Olympics doubled the number of winter Jewish gold medalists? Hockey. Today's Jews somehow excel in hockey. Weird, we know.

Before 2026, one only need one hand to count all-time Jewish winter golds (Irving Jaffee, two in 1932; Gennadi Karponosov, 1980; Sarah Hughes, 2002; Steve Mesler, 2010). So that's five golds, four gold medalists. (None for hockey... yet.)

Now? The number has swelled to eight, all thanks to the American triumph in both men's and women's hockey! Quinn Hughes scored a game-winning overtime goal in the quarterfinals, but brother Jack did him one better: he did in the final for the gold medal! Add that to backup goaltender Jeremy Swayman, and that's three Jews.

As for the women? Their goaltender, who allowed just two goals in seven games, was Aerin Frankel! She had an amazing 30 saves in the final win against Canada.

So now you need two hands to count winter Olympic Jewish medalists!