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BROOKLYN WEEKLY, DECEMBER 1, 2019
The Brooklyn Nets new limited edition jersey Courtesy of the Brooklyn Nets
Biggie league
Nets unveil limited edition
5,000 rabbis pose for ‘class
photo’ in Crown Heights
Thousands of rabbis from around the world gathered for an annual conference — and a group photo. Photos by Todd Maisel
‘Bed-Stuy’ jerseys BY TODD MAISEL
Thousands of rabbis from around the world
descended on Crown Heights on Sunday for an
annual conference of Orthodox Jewish Hasidic
leaders — and a “class picture” of nearly 5,000
rabbis, who gathered in Brooklyn around their
shared faith.
“It’s important for me to meet my friends, to
strengthen my work, and do what God wants us
to do,” said Rabbi Shalom Ber Sudak of London,
England. “We want to encourage people to be
close to the Yiddishchite, to be happy with what
we are supposed to do.”
The rabbis flew in from across the globe
for the International Conference of Chabad-
Lubavitch Emissaries — a yearly event designed
to strengthen Jewish awareness and practice
around the world, said one religious leader.
“I was invited, and have been coming for 50
years,” added Rabbi Joseph Hardman of Israel.
“I represent 6,000 disciples that I’m here for.
I’m very veshtatum — meaning I’m very satisfied
here because they always make us feel welcome.”
Prior to the photo, the rabbis — who came
from as far as India, Belgium, and Ukraine —
prayed in tight quarters inside the Lubavitch
synagogue.
One rabbi said he felt honored to attend the
event with so many other religious leaders.
“We need to take a full review of what we do,”
said Rabbi Mordachai Chencon of Brussels, Belgium.
“We do this to hold together – and together
we are strong, that is very important.”
Across from the gathering, a number of Orthodox
Jewish men protested by hoisting large yellow
banners proclaiming the death of the grand
rebbe — the spiritual leader in the Hasidic movement
— leading to a pitched shoving match.
“They have a right to protest, it’s a free country,”
said Rabbi Chaim Chanukah of Pasadena,
California. “This is a week of achievement, five
to six days of brotherhood and community. Nobody
arguing, just different languages.”
The rabbis fl ew in from across the globe for the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries
BY JOE HITI
Brooklyn Nets fans lined
up outside the Barclays Center
on Thursday to be among
the first to don the team’s new
limited-edition jersey, which
honors both Bedford-Stuyvesant
and the legendary rapper
Biggie Smalls.
“Pretty f--g fresh,” said former
Bedford-Stuyvesant resident
Sam L. as he waited outside
Barclays Center to snag a
jersey.
The uniforms — emblazoned
with “Bed-Stuy” in all
caps across the chest — pays
homage to Brooklyn’s own Notorious
B.I.G., one of the most
influential voices in hip-hop.
“If you’re a hip-hop person
it makes you feel included,”
said Bedford-Stuyvesant resident
Glen Wallace. “You don’t
have to be from Bed-Stuy to
enjoy it.”
The Nets themselves will
debut the jersey at their Nov.
29 matchup against the Boston
Celtics, and will sport the
limited-edition uniform for 28
games this season.
The new jerseys accompany
the team’s new look on
the court — after an eventful
off-season saw them sign several
marquee free agents.
Future Hall-of-Famers
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving
both inked new deals to
take their talents to Flatbush,
while perennial all-star De-
Andre Jordan also signed up
with the team.
Durant, who suffered an
Locals lined up outside of Barclays
Center for the new Nets uniforms.
Photo by Joe Hiti
Achilles injury during the
NBA Finals last year, will
most likely miss the entire
2019-2020 season — but that
hasn’t stopped the other players
from having an immediate
impact.
Jordan has led the team in
blocks, while Irving has led
with 28.5 points-per-game and
7.2 assist-per-game throughout
the team’s first 17 games
— during which they’ve seen
an 9-and-8 record.
The team has made the
playoffs four times — winning
just one playoff series
— since they moved to Kings
County in 2012.