Cincinnati Jews Showed Out at the Great American Ballpark
The Jewish Community showed out at the Great American Ballpark for the Reds vs. Kansas City Royals Tuesday, June 2 filling over 550 seats across the stadium. The weather was in the 70s and spirits were high. This event marked the 9th annual Jewish Community Night at the Reds which was organized by staff of the Mayerson JCC.
“Jewish community night at the Reds is one of my favorite events of the year. It’s a chance to celebrate being part of a vibrant Jewish community while enjoying time together,” said Ariel Weiss. “Seeing familiar faces, making new connections and watching my children have so much fun, reminds me how fortunate we are to belong to a community that values connection and joy.”
Marissa Phillips echoed her thoughts. “I love the Jewish Community night at the Reds because it makes me so proud to sit in the stands and look around and see familiar and friendly faces filling the seats.”
Dinner was served at the Party Barn next to the kids playfield in the stadium where attendees gathered for a traditional game night meal, but kosher – including hot dogs, hamburgers, hot pretzels, chips, chili, beans and soda choices. The abundant meal was sponsored by The Jewish Foundation and served by staff from Cincinnati Kosher Takeout. Rabbis independently offered to wrap teffilin while waiting in the food line and families caught up about summer plans and enjoyed sitting together and kibbitzing in the pavilion.
The event felt like a bold statement of togetherness as anti-semitism has ramped up across the globe.
As everyone stood stadium wide for the National Anthem, cameras zoomed in on the man singing who was wearing a yarmulke. Raffie Zuroff’s image was broadcast throughout the stadium while he sang his heart out. He explains the assignment was deeply meaningful.
“Before the national anthem we had a family huddle. My wife spoke about the fact that we have to be so thankful that we live in the United States of America where we can practice our religion freely. The Jewish people have been persecuted for thousands of years and here I was, an orthodox Jew wearing a yarmulke, about to sing the national anthem at a major league ballpark! We can not take that for granted. During the national anthem itself, I was overwhelmed with tremendous pride being able to represent the Jewish community of Cincinnati. As Jews living in America, we have to be proud, stand tall and not be afraid. We have to be proud of our Judaism, be a light to the world, and not be afraid of all those around us who are creating so much darkness with their hatred.”
The honorary captain of the game was Mark Fisher, the game ball was brought out by Rachel Kaplan from Cincinnati Hillel, “Play Ball” was yelled out by the Cincinnati Maccabi basketball team and the Community advocate award was posthumously given to Jimmy Miller and Corky Steiner, whose family members were in attendance.
