Rematch: Maccabi Tel Aviv Takes On the N.Y. Knicks
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Israel’s best basketball team is taking on the NBA.
The stars of Maccabi Tel Aviv will face off against the New York Knicks in a charity exhibition game October 18 at Madison Square Garden. The game, which marks the second time the Israelis have faced off against the Knicks, will be followed two days later by Maccabi’s first ever match-up against the LA Clippers, who will have the home court advantage at the Staples Center. Both games will be played on behalf of Migdal Ohr, a social services and educational organization that runs a youth village for more than 6,000 underprivileged children in northern Israel.
“In this time of crisis for Jewish organizations trying to raise money, Migdal Ohr is in fact doubling down with these two games,” Robert Katz, the organization’s executive vice president, told The Shmooze.
Although the Israeli squad lost to the Knicks during the teams’ previous match-up, in October 2007, the defeat was not without distinction, selling 18,000 tickets and achieving an all-time attendance record for an exhibition game at Madison Square Garden.
Among the Israeli players scheduled to take part in the upcoming games is Omri Casspi, a forward with other plans involving the NBA. The 20-year-old Yavne native hopes to become the first Israeli picked up in the league’s first-round draft on June 25.
However he fares, Casspi will hear both Israel’s national anthem and “The Star-Spangled Banner” before October’s exhibition matches.
Maccabi’s rematch against the Knicks, scheduled for 1 p.m. in New York, will be broadcast live in primetime in Israel.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
