Boston Celtics Hosts Jewish Heritage Night
Boston basketball fans got a taste of Chanukah this week as Jews from all over the Greater Boston area flocked to the TD Garden to light the menorah and celebrate Jewish Heritage Night.
Sponsored by Chabads of the North Shore, Lexington, Merrimack Valley and Central Mass, this historic event celebrated the fifth night of Chanukah and gave the Boston Jewish Community a night to remember as they celebrated the Festival of Lights with their favorite team.
Before tipoff, event organizers Rabbis Shmaya Friedman, of the Boston Jew Crew; Avi Bukiet of Chabad of Arlington and Moshele Liberow of Chabad of Central Mass invited Boston Celtics owner Mr. Robert Epstein and his wife Esta to join Rabbi Yossi Lipsker, of Chabad of the North Shore, in lighting the Menorah and singing the traditional Chanukah tune Moaz Tzur.
Rabbi Lipsker dedicated the evening in loving memory of the late Mrs. Devorah Krinsky, wife of Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters and Regional Director of Chabad in the Greater Boston area.
“I have to say, I never thought I’d see a Menorah being lit at center court of a Boston Celtics game,” commented Mr. Epstein, who was visibly moved by this very powerful experience.
At half time, nearly 700 people crowded into the concourse of section 303 where the Menorah was relit and Jelly Donuts along with Jewish Heritage Night T-Shirts were distributed to all the participants. Hot, Glatt Kosher concessions were available throughout the evening.
After the thrilling double overtime Celtics victory, the remaining participants took to the court for lay-up drills and to practice their free throw shooting with Celtics team personnel.
“What an incredible display of Jewish community and pride,” said Rabbi Asher Bronstein, of Merrimack Valley. “It’s been a long time in coming, perhaps, but we did it! For a town that takes their sports teams almost as seriously as their Yiddishkeit–this was a perfect shidduch.
Participating in the evenings festivities were Chabads of Milford, Needham, Newton Centre, North Andover, Peabody, Wellesley/Weston and the Chabad Chai Center.
Samuel
This was a great night for Chabad !
Chaim
Amazing Event!!! its about time Lubavitch in Boston got rolling. major kudos to all those that were involved. What a Kiddush Hashem!!!
FAN OF MEISH!
OO YOU GOTTA LOVE MEISH
Amazing!
Go Avi!!!
Way To Go!!!
Shmaya, Avi, & Moshele!! Way to make a splash in Boston, The young blood is breathing new life into the state. IT WAS AWESOME !!
Where-s the Crowd???
Phenomenal. But no one was in the stands ….;(
#2 fan of Mayshe
#3, I second that!!!
The Visionary
Rabbi Shmaya is doing amazing things….he’s been an inspiration to the teens of the North Shore and was instrumental in making this event happen. Hatzlacha Raba my brother..