Washington Wizards to celebrate ‘Jewish Heritage Night’ at tonight’s game

By Jacob Magid

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16 November 2022, 6:24 pm

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Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija in action during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, October 25, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The Israeli Embassy in the US is sponsoring Jewish Heritage Night at the Washington Wizards game tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The team says it will celebrate Jewish culture throughout the game and an Israeli dance team will perform during the halftime show.

Wizards forward Deni Avdija, an Israeli native, will also address fans at the end of the game.

Avdija will also meet with Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog and sign Wizards hats that will be donated to a children’s charitable organization.

“This is the first time the Embassy is sponsoring a Washington Wizards game, and I’m confident it won’t be the last,” Herzog says in a statement.

“This night is extremely important given the rise in racism in general and antisemitic rhetoric and incidents in particular, including in the world of entertainment and sports. Tonight we celebrate the contributions of the Jewish community to the United States, which are a great answer to antisemitic hate in this country.”