Steven Rubenstein and his cousin, Bernard Gerson, took the analogy almost literally during the World Series.

Both grew up Red Sox fans only to be separated by callings three-quarters-of-a-continent apart. Rubenstein is rabbi of Temple B’Nai Abraham. Gerson is a rabbi in Denver.

Rubenstein kept the faith in his beloved Red Sox, right down to his Red Sox logo yarmulke, which he wears under his Red Sox cap, of course.

Gerson, on the other hand, traded in his Red Sox for Colorado Rockies pin stripes.

Naturally, a bet on the World Series was in order — Rubenstein and Gerson bet a community dinner each of their congregations sponsors on a monthly basis.

With the Red Sox sweep, the 60 or so folks who gathered for the community meal Monday night at the First Baptist Church were treated to a Fenway Park special including hot dogs, apple pie and Cracker Jacks — all on Gerson’s dime, something Rubenstein didn’t mind pointing out, reveling in the Sox’ World Series Championship all over again.

Rubenstein composed a special, light-hearted prayer to begin the meal, saying, in part, “To you, O Lord, we would call out, Before the Eternal Lord of Baseball we would plead,” and concluding, “So that we may sing Your praise unceasingly, So that we might thank You, God, forever … For another season of victory and celebration.”

He then led the members of his congregation who had volunteered to make and serve the meal and their guests in a rousing, somewhat off-key, version of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

Kidding, family teasing and World Series bets aside, the dinner is important for the temple congregation and for the other denominations that rotate preparing and serving community meals at the First Baptist Church on a weekly basis.

Al Tartakoff, 83, and Harry Silverstein, 81, credit Rubenstein with reviving the temple’s participation in the community dinners a little over a year ago after a hiatus.

“There were people who had done it before and really missed it,” said Tartakoff. “The Rabbi got us back to do it again.”

“There was just an opening in the rotation, so we stepped back in,” Rubenstein said.

Each week a different denomination takes a turn putting on the dinner. The First Baptist Church opens its kitchen and gym for the dinners.

Tartakoff has been volunteering at the dinners for 26 years and Silverstein for 13 and this is the first time either can recall a Red Sox themed dinner.

“They do all the shopping,” said Sue Wolper, walking past with an armload of dirty dishes pressed against the front of her Red Sox T-shirt.

Simon Peterson, 9, in his red World Series hoodie, wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic as either Tartakoff or Silverstein. “My mom made me come,” he said. “It was sorta fun.”

Peterson was hardly alone among the temple’s youth at the dinner. Allison Wolper totaled 16 volunteers from the youth group she runs for the temple.

In addition, youths preparing for their bar and bat mitzvahs, including Rubenstein’s daughter, Tova, helped put on the meal as part of their community service requirements tied to their coming of age.

In the true spirit of giving, service and generosity, Rubenstein and the Beverly Rotary Club teamed up to sponsor a community meal in Denver. So, while Rubenstein may have served up a big slice of humble pie for his cousin, those in need of a meal in Denver received something far more nutritious and substantial.

“He’s coming back here in a week,” Rubenstein said, “and we’ll be celebrating.”

Beverly Citizen