JEWISH (NEW ENGLAND) PATRIOTS

WITH ALL OF THE JEWISH RED SOX, THEY MIGHT HAVE A MINYAN

One of the most fearsome football players during his playing days, former Pats linebacker Andre Tippett is getting in touch with his spiritual side. Born and raised a Baptist in Birmingham, Ala., the five-time Pro Bowler has converted to Judaism, and will talk about his faith tonight at a Combined Jewish Philanthropies event at Gillette Stadium. (Tippett, 44, converted because he and his wife, Rhonda, who's Jewish, want to raise their children Jewish.) Pats punter Josh Miller, who's also Jewish, is among the other speakers at the event hosted by Pats owner Bob Kraft and his wife Myra. "I'd been to temple a few times," said Tippett, the Pats' director of football development and promotions. "Like everything else I've gotten into, I did my research."