The Warriors' 10th Annual Jewish Heritage Night

With every seat in Oracle Arena filled, on Wednesday, December 16, the Warriors dominated the Phoenix Suns 128-103 behind a season-high 43 points from shooting guard Klay Thompson and a triple-double from “do-everything” forward Draymond Green. 

With 2,000 Jewish Heritage Night tickets sold (including all of the Federation’s block of 1,600 tickets), Danny Grossman, CEO of the Federation, declared: “Seeing our community here makes all the work worthwhile! We had some hardworking team members planning it.”

Prior to the game, the Federation, Chabad of San Francisco, and Everybody Is A Star Foundation also sponsored a tailgate that featured a menorah lighting, latkes, hat giveaway (Warriors cap with Star of David) and music (Kosha Dillz and Jazz Mafia). 

“The menorah lighting was great,” Grossman said, “because we were able to honor a diverse group of Jews.”

“We arrived in time to get our hats and a latke,” said Bob Flanagan, who attended the game with his son, Gabriel. “I felt really good for Gabriel because he got two autographs on his hat and was able to be on the court for the national anthem.”

The Federation also made it possible for 300 fans to come early and be seated courtside for the Warriors' warmup, including the electrifying Stephen Curry, who participated in the shoot-around prior to the game. 

“Shoot-around was really fun,” said Richard Sorkin, a longtime supporter of the Federation. “It was very cool to see Stephen Curry up close, sinking three-pointer after three-pointer – including some from around half-court.”

It was a cheerful reunion for those fortunate enough to attend Jewish Heritage Night. Many were able to catch up with their old friends – during the tailgate party, the shoot-around, and during the game itself. 

“Running into so many people I know here, makes it a bit like ‘old home week,’ only more so,” said Michele Nemschoff, who attended the game with her longtime friend and fellow Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School alumni parent Amy Bronstein. “I watch every game, and it’s so amazing how they’re this good.”

A bonus part of Jewish Heritage Night featured two Brandeis Day School teams scrimmaging at halftime.

“It was amazing, being on the court – on the Warriors’ court – seeing all the fans, getting to play defense and shoot the ball,” said Simon Nikolaieff, a Brandeis player. 

“Being out there, watching these guys play on the Warriors’ championship court, I have no words,” said Coach Zane Wilder, of Brandeis Marin. “The ability to represent our Jewish school and being here on Jewish Heritage Night was special for everyone involved.”

Perhaps inspired by the Brandeis players, the Warriors clobbered the Suns during a scintillating third quarter. Draymond Green accomplished a triple-double during this period, finishing with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Klay Thompson totaled 27 points in the third quarter alone, in which the Dubs outscored the Suns 46-19. He went 9-for-11 from the field, raining in four three-pointers. Danny Grossman exclaimed, “Klay was on fire!” The 46 points scored by the Warriors is the most in the NBA in any quarter to date this season. 

Interim head coach Luke Walton sat his starters in the fourth quarter, and the Warriors moved their record to a sparkling 25-1. It was a great bounce-back performance at home after the team had its 28-game win streak snapped at Milwaukee four nights earlier.

“It was an impressive performance tonight,” Walton said afterward in the postgame press conference. “In that second quarter and third quarter, we really did a good job of taking care of the basketball. When we take care of the ball and get after it on defense – and it obviously helps when Klay goes on one of those runs shooting the ball like he did tonight – we’re playing at the height of our game right there.”

“To be here watching the championship basketball team with way more Jews than I expected fills me with pride,” Bob Flanagan said. “I am also humbled that I am amongst Chabad Rabbis and Federation employees and synagogue members from all over the Bay Area.”

Danny Grossman added: “It’s great to be able to share our traditions with the broader community, especially in the context of the World Champion Warriors, and see a win!”

Sam Sorkin is a contributing writer for Vox Media and a staff writer for SB Nation’s Golden State of Mind blog. He served on the board and Leadership Council of the North Peninsula Jewish Teen Foundation, and currently sits on its Alumni Council. Sam is a senior at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California.