This past Sunday, August 4th, the Newark Bears – members of the Can -Am Baseball League, hosted Jewish Heritage Night at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, NJ. Their opponents, the Wichita Wingnuts, joined in the festivities as well. Long-time season ticket holder and rabid Bears fan, Daniel Weiss of Manhattan, threw out the first pitch. His father, Dr. Robert Weiss, sung Hatikvah.

Kosher food was readily available and the Bears hosted a number of fun activities for the kids, including running the bases and autographs after the game. The Bears head batboy – Teaneck’s own Joey Goffstein – facilitated easy access to the players throughout the game and made sure no one left empty handed. “I love my job and I love this organization, as they continuously reach out to the greater community” said Goffstein now in his 5th year as batboy with the Bears.

Bears starting catcher, Sandy DeLeon, was seen wearing the official Bears Kippah before the game. “I am hoping it will bring me good luck” said DeLeon. While DeLeon did in fact play well, the Bears dropped another one to the Wingnuts, 13-5. Bears manager and former Major League All-Star Garry Templeton summed it up best, “while we would have preferred to win, the bigger goal here is bringing communities together”. On this night The Newark Bears certainly made the greater Jewish community feel together!