For the third straight season, the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets are teaming up with CTeen, Chabad-Lubavitch’s global teen network, to host “Jewish Heritage Night” at the Barclays Center in honor of Chanukah. The event takes place on Thursday, Dec. 10, when the Nets welcome the Philadelphia 76ers.
The evening’s festivities begin at 7 p.m. when a “Rabbis vs. Teens” basketball game takes over the parquet court, followed by a rendition of the national anthem by Chassidic singer Yoni Z, who will also perform during the halftime concert.
Jewish teenagers from CTeen’s 36 Tri-State chapters will be awarded privileges throughout the game, including ball delivery, pre-game national anthem buddies and participation in the half-time game. The Nets is one of at least 17 professional sports teams around North America to host Chanukah menorah-lightings and parties this year.
“What says Chanukah more than basketball, Brooklyn, great food, and fun entertainment?” said Barry Baum, Chief Communications Officer of Barclays Center. “Thursday night will be a festive celebration for all ages.”
The highlight of the evening, of course, will be the arena-wide lighting of a giant menorah constructed out of 66 bright-orange basketballs.
“Sharing the light of Chanukah with so many—both at the game and with those watching at home—brings a little more meaning and inspiration into all of our lives,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of CTeen. “The mid-game Chanukah menorah-lighting at the Barclays Center is a teachable moment for the thousands of Jewish teens present. It says: ‘Be proud of who you are. Be proud Jews.’ ”
During the game, Nets players will deliver Chanukah greetings on the big screen, Jewish music will be played, and the kosher David K’s deli will offer fans the Nets Chanukah “Swish Knish” (that’s aside from the rest of their kosher menu, including what’s been called Barclays’ best pastrami sandwich).
Lighting large menorahs in public places, including at sports arenas and stadiums, is a part of the Chanukah campaign set into motion in 1973 by the Lubavitcher Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory.
Ride the Zamboni
In Brooklyn, fans won’t have to go far if they want to watch Chanukah become the theme of the evening at an NHL game. At 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13—just days after the Nets evening—the New York Islanders hockey team will face off with CTeen for the first time to host their own “Jewish Heritage Night.”
The Islanders—who are in the midst of their first season playing at the Barclays Center—will offer CTeen members the chance to take part in the pre-game “high-five” lines and rides on the Zamboni machine.
Israeli-Jewish singer Gad Elbaz will perform the national anthem, and Jewish folk singer Levi Robin will sing during the halftime show.
Event organizers are expecting Jewish attendance in the thousands, not to mention the countless fans who will tune in to both games.
Sam Hollander of Manalapan, N.J., attended “Jewish Heritage Night” at Barclays last year with his local CTeen chapter. It was an evening he said he couldn’t forget, noting that “it felt like I was watching the game with my entire extended family.”
For ticket information, click here.
For Chanukah information, including locating public menorah-lightings, inspiration, recipes, events for the whole family and more, visit the Chabad.org Chanukah 2015 page here.
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