Photos by Bob Stevens and Jack Hartzman
The Washington Nationals defeated the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park, but everyone went home a winner regardless of the score, as the Jewish community gathered to cheer on the hometown team and enjoy a day at the ballpark.
Grand Slam Sunday: Jewish Community Day at Nationals Park, presented by The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, brought out baseball fans who participated in a food tasting with the Jewish Food Experience, played arts and crafts with PJ Library and took a photo for a mock cover of Washington Jewish Week, the event’s media sponsor.
On the field, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School’s Shir Madness a cappella choir sang the national anthem while anthem buddies, kids from Etz Hayim Congregation, got a chance to experience being on the field. Tunnel buddies, kids from Shaare Torah Congregation, got to greet Nationals starters as they came out of the dugout. Representatives from the Jewish community also took the field to accept the Spirit Award from the Nationals.
Event co-chair Phil Margolius threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
“I have never had more fun with an event in Washington,” he said. “Federation was able to marry that fun and excitement with the best way to build community in the real sense — having Jews expressing their Judaism with other Jews. All of us who were wearing that red shirt were saying how proud they were to be part of the Jewish community. We always say ‘Next Year in Jerusalem.’ I add to that by saying ‘Next Year at Nationals Park’ as well.”
