CAI and NNJR Enjoy Nets' Jewish Family Night

On Wednesday night, March 24 over 100 members and affiliates of the NNJR and Congregation Agudath Israel attended Jewish Family Night at the Izod Center. The crowd was treated to a hotly contested battle between New Jersey's team and the visiting Sacramento Kings. The Kings have several international players on their roster, including Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to play in the NBA. While Omri only tallied 2 points on the night - a layup in the closing seconds - the painted faces with Stars of David and waving Israeli flags signaled a great sense of pride for his presence in this truly global league.

Among the highlights of the evening, the HaZamir Choir, led in part by CAI's own Cantor Joel Caplan, sang during halftime. After the game, members of our party shot around on the Izod Center court and took a few pics in the process. Oh, and did we fail to mention that the Nets won - 93-79 - for their 8th win on the year?!

The event was a fundraiser for NOAM, the Masorti Olami's youth progam in Israel. We'd like to thank Abner Neufeld of the Nets for all of his attentive support of our program and the heavy representation of aliterative rabbis from our congregation - Savits, Saltzman and Silverstein. (Yes, rabbis, not a law firm.)

Nets-Kings Night Update

We're just a couple weeks away from Jewish Family/Israel Night at the Izod Center when the Nets take on Israeli basketball star Omri Casspi and the Sacramento Kings. In addition to what is sure to be a great night of basketball and tzedekah for Israel, the Nets have informed us of a few new highlights to the evening. At halftime, the world renowned HaZamir Choir wil perform and each fan will receive a Nets t-shirt in Hebrew lettering. Kosher food stands will also be situated throughout the concourse.

The evening is a fun and fundraiser for the state of Israel's Masorti programs. A major portion of all ticket sales will benefit NOAM, the Masorti youth program in Israel that serves all denominations of Jewish youngsters. The evening is being organized by the Northern New Jersey Region of Jewish Men's Clubs (NNJR) and is being chaired by CAI's own Adam Shandler. Contact Adam for a flyer with purchase coupon: adshandler@gmail.com

Jewish Family Night at the Nets

While the Nets aren't exactly having a banner year, you'll want to be at the IZOD Center on Wednesday, March 24. The team is hosting Jewish Family Night, organized in part by the Northern New Jersey Region of Jewish Men's Clubs.

The Nets will be hosting the Sacramento Kings, featuring forward Omri Casspi (bottom right), the first Israeli-born player in the NBA. Other Jewish and Israeli-themed spectacles are in the works, like Israeli dancing, a possibly halftime show by Matisyahu, Jewish celebrity appearances from the world of sports and entertainment - and don't forget the kosher hot dog stands! An all-star basketball game between the Northern NNJR District and Southern NNJR District will take place after the game on the IZOD Center court.

The cost of tickets for Nets-Kings is $36 for lower level seats, $18 for second tier. A significant portion of every ticket sale will fund Masorti Olam programs in Israel. All fans that attend through this program will receive a free Nets t-shirt commemorating the evening.

The event is being chaired by Adam Shandler, CAI Men's Club President. For more info, contact him at adshandler@gmail.com.

CAI Drops First Game of the Season to B'nai Shalom

The CAI Men's Club Basketball team played a hard game but couldn't stop the hot shooting of B'nai Shalom, losing 58-48. In the game played at JCC of West Orange on Monday night, December 7, Agudath Israel dropped its 9th straight dating back to last season when it finished the 2008-09 campaign at 0-8.

"I would say we are the Nets of the JCC Temple League, but the Nets have won a game this year," said team general manager and small forward Adam Shandler, who was not present at the game.

Richie Dicker paced CAI with 14 points while Steve Eitman netted 13. David Kerner brought down 20 rebounds in the loss. Agudath Israel takes the floor again on Thursday, December 17 in a battle versus the JCC-Whippany team at 8:15 pm.