By Joseph Meisel
On Tuesday, December 20, the NBA’s Miami Heat faced the Chicago Bulls at the FTX Arena in Miami before its largest crowd of 2022 – a season high record of ‘standing room only’ 19,969 fans.
This was certainly no ordinary evening … The Heat was hosting its annual “Jewish Heritage Night” (JHN) in celebration of Chanukah, when the entire FTX Arena transforms into a true “Festival of Lights.”
Highlighting the evening’s celebrations, was the grand menorah lighting ceremony which took place just as the first quarter came to a close. Arena announcer Michael Baiamonte asked the record crowd to please rise and direct their attention to section 104 where the eight branched Chanukah candelabrum was kindled.
As recording star Yoni Z chanted the menorah blessings, you could hear many in attendance singing along. The ceremony was followed by great cheer and applause from the sold-out arena.
The menorah lighting ceremony as well as the Jewish Heritage Night Half-Time Show featuring Yoni Z, NBA Legend and Miami Heat all-time great Alonzo Mourning and Heat mascot Burnie, was not only shown on the giant screens throughout the arena, it was also broadcast live on Bally Sports Sun, the Heat’s official TV broadcast and their live YouTube streaming seen worldwide.
During halftime, more than five thousand fans made their way to the AT&T East Plaza for an electrifying concert with Yoni Z and DJ Shia, to collect their brightly colored Jewish Heritage t-shirt and enjoy sumptuous glatt kosher food, including traditional holiday jelly donuts and potato latkes.
The menorah was kindled by Mr. Sammy Schulman, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Miami Heat using the official torch of 2023 JCC Maccabi Games, coming to South Florida in August of 2023.
For those fans choosing to remain inside the arena, the half-time celebration was shown on the giant jumbotron scoreboard, which hangs over the Heat’s court of play.
Unique to this year’s celebration was a custom-made video that the Heat showed to all in attendance and aired for its tv viewers as well. Produced by Chabad, the beautifully edited video displayed a special holiday message of lighting up the globe with unity and acts of kindness.
The video message was created in honor of the very special year on the Jewish calendar known as “Hakhel,” which means unity and gathering. It was inspired by the “Rebbe,” Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, who inspired one and all to dedicate such Hakhel years with many special events that unite men, women and children, regardless of background or affiliation.
In addition to all the festive holiday activities that the Miami Heat offered its Jewish guests, the arena was literally aglow with Chanukah images and the colorful Jewish Heritage Night logo streaming on its screens and display boards.
In fact, Heat TV announcer Eric Reid and inside announcer Baiamonte often repeated at breaks their best wishes for a Happy Chanukah and reminded fans about it being Jewish Heritage Night and the many festivities taking place.
The logos of the evening’s JHN sponsors, including Publix Supermarkets, ISRACAP and Chabad, were also continuously displayed on screens throughout the arena,
Among the evening’s treats for JHN guests was a prime-time basketball game. Students of the highly acclaimed TAG Academy in Cooper City, led by its Educational Director, Rabbi Zalmy Raksin were invited to play an eight-minute scrimmage just prior to the Heat-Bulls tipoff.
Also, select younger fans were thrilled to line the FTX Arena floor to slap the Miami Heat players high-five as they entered the court and to stand beside them while Yoni Z belted out a spectacular rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
Many fans and season ticket holders had no idea beforehand that it was going be Jewish Heritage Night but were so excited to be a part of the joyous celebration. The evening was truly filled with non-stop Chanukah celebrations and awareness from the moment patrons entered the arena.
In-arena Heat host and entertainer Dale McLean wanted to personally recognize the evening’s organizers: Chabad of Florida representatives Rabbi Pinny Andrusier and brothers Rabbis Chaim and Eli Lipskar, for the incredible energy they brought to the arena that evening. Dale invited them onto the court during a first quarter stoppage of play.
Dale congratulated the Chabad rabbis for their incredible success and expressed how wonderful it was to witness the entire South Florida community coming together for such a joyous celebration and wonderful cause.
“That’s exactly what the messages of Chanukah and Hakhel are all about,” agreed Rabbi Pinny.
For pictures, information and future events, visit JewishHeritageNight.com
DJ Shia is amazing!
Shout out to Eli Lipskar! King of Dade!