Rabbi Mendel Feller led local Jewish hoops fans in the candle lighting blessings for Hanuka, before the start of the Timberwolves game Wednesday night at Target Center. The event, Jewish Heritage Celebration Night, was sponsored by the United Jewish Fund and Council of St. Paul and the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.
Jeff Victor (left) provided musical accompaniment to the Hanuka candle lighting blessings, which were led by Rabbi Mendel Feller, of Chabad-Lubavitch. (Photos: Mordecai Specktor)
Jeff Victor (left) provided musical accompaniment to the Hanuka candle lighting blessings, which were led by Rabbi Mendel Feller, of Chabad-Lubavitch. (Photos: Mordecai Specktor)
Julian (left) and Jackson Berenberg proudly display their Jewish stars fashioned from pipe cleaners.
Julian (left) and Jackson Berenberg proudly display their Jewish stars fashioned from pipe cleaners.For those looking for kosher treats, Joan and Stewart Fishman, of Fishman’s Delicatessen and Bakery in St. Louis Park, served latkes and sufganiot (jelly doughnuts). There also were hands-on craft activities for children.
Following the game between the T’wolves and the Los Angeles Clippers (the California team edged out the hometown crew, 120-95), David Kahn, the new president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves, held an intimate Q & A for participants in the Jewish communal event.
Also of Jewish interest, Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to ever play in the NBA, comes to the Target Center this Friday, when the T’wolves host the Sacramento Kings.
Casspi has been having a sensational rookie season so far. The six-foot, eight-inch forward ranks fifth among all NBA rookies in scoring, with 10.9 points per game. He also has been embraced by Jews in the California capital.
Omri Casspi (Photo: Jweekly.com)
Omri Casspi (Photo: Jweekly.com)Casspi signed autographs last week at a Hanuka party put on by the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region. And last Friday, Casspi took part, along with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in the lighting of a hanukia at the California state capitol. — Mordecai Specktor
Al Jefferson scores two points for the T’wolves, in their game with the Clippers on Wednesday night.
Al Jefferson scores two points for the T’wolves, in their game with the Clippers on Wednesday night.
