NEIL BASTIAN PHOTOS

Hundreds celebrate Hanukah with Blazers

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2009-01-01T00:00:00

Jewish Celebration Night at the Rose Quarter—More than 400 people bought Hanukah promotion tickets for the Portland Trail Blazer’s Dec.23 game against the Denver Nuggets, which the Blazers won 101-92. Chabad of Oregon hosted pregame, halftime (left) and post game celebrations.

“This is great. We are celebrating our holiday in public.” – Joseph Spector, 13

“This shows other people our Jewish population is big and happy.” –Matan Horenstein, 14

“I love to be at a sporting event with other Jews and I love to celebrate Hanukah. Bring together kosher food, Jews and basketball—What
could be better?” – Emily Simon

Clockwise from bottom left:

RABBI DOV BIALO takes a shot after the first quarter. Bialo made two freethrows earning him two attempts to shoot for cash, but he came up short.

BLAZER ALUMNI PLAYER JEROME KERSEY, right, dances the hora next to Marshal Spector after lighting the menorah during halftime.

BAND—Alden Harris-McCoy, below left, Patrick Harry and Tree Palmedo (not pictured) provided the music for the half-time celebration on the concourse.

COURTSIDE KIDS—Children attending the game through the Hanukah promotion were invited onto the court before the game to welcome the Blazer players to the court with high fives.