Beren Academy Houston Displays Honor and Dignity

[CaffeineHat]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/sp...emifinals.html

The Beren academy is an orthodox Jewish day school in Houston with 274 students, the upper school has an enrollment of 71. This year their men's basketball team had its best season ever (25-3) and was slated to play in the state tournament this weekend but their game slot falls during the Jewish observance of Sabbath. The school appealed to the Texas Association of Parochial and Private Schools to have the game moved to a time earlier on Friday but their request was denied.

I saw an interview with some of the players last night on our local news, instead of complaining or calling for sweeping change to the way the system works, the boys acknowledged their disappointment but affirmed that their faith was the most important thing. I thought that it was a powerful, positive, and honorable message. They knew in advance that they might not be able to play in the tournament, and still played a tremendous season.

I wanted to take a moment here to acknowledge this team and its great message; that there are things more important that winning a game, and that sometimes in life one must make hard decisions.

[Hadassah]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/sp...emifinals.html

The Beren academy is an orthodox Jewish day school in Houston with 274 students, the upper school has an enrollment of 71. This year their men's basketball team had its best season ever (25-3) and was slated to play in the state tournament this weekend but their game slot falls during the Jewish observance of Sabbath. The school appealed to the Texas Association of Parochial and Private Schools to have the game moved to a time earlier on Friday but their request was denied.

I saw an interview with some of the players last night on our local news, instead of complaining or calling for sweeping change to the way the system works, the boys acknowledged their disappointment but affirmed that their faith was the most important thing. I thought that it was a powerful, positive, and honorable message. They knew in advance that they might not be able to play in the tournament, and still played a tremendous season.

I wanted to take a moment here to acknowledge this team and its great message; that there are things more important that winning a game, and that sometimes in life one must make hard decisions.

In my eyes, those kids rock!

[jkm]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/sp...emifinals.html

The Beren academy is an orthodox Jewish day school in Houston with 274 students, the upper school has an enrollment of 71. This year their men's basketball team had its best season ever (25-3) and was slated to play in the state tournament this weekend but their game slot falls during the Jewish observance of Sabbath. The school appealed to the Texas Association of Parochial and Private Schools to have the game moved to a time earlier on Friday but their request was denied.

I saw an interview with some of the players last night on our local news, instead of complaining or calling for sweeping change to the way the system works, the boys acknowledged their disappointment but affirmed that their faith was the most important thing. I thought that it was a powerful, positive, and honorable message. They knew in advance that they might not be able to play in the tournament, and still played a tremendous season.

I wanted to take a moment here to acknowledge this team and its great message; that there are things more important that winning a game, and that sometimes in life one must make hard decisions.

It's obvious these students are learning to set priorities in their life, with observing their faith #1. That's great!

[skid vicious]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/sp...emifinals.html

The Beren academy is an orthodox Jewish day school in Houston with 274 students, the upper school has an enrollment of 71. This year their men's basketball team had its best season ever (25-3) and was slated to play in the state tournament this weekend but their game slot falls during the Jewish observance of Sabbath. The school appealed to the Texas Association of Parochial and Private Schools to have the game moved to a time earlier on Friday but their request was denied.

I saw an interview with some of the players last night on our local news, instead of complaining or calling for sweeping change to the way the system works, the boys acknowledged their disappointment but affirmed that their faith was the most important thing. I thought that it was a powerful, positive, and honorable message. They knew in advance that they might not be able to play in the tournament, and still played a tremendous season.

I wanted to take a moment here to acknowledge this team and its great message; that there are things more important that winning a game, and that sometimes in life one must make hard decisions.

WHAT?!?!?? Those kids should be whining and complaining how life isn't fair and how they're being discriminated against. Someone call the ACLU!!!
BTW, good for them. It sucks, but at least they have principles

[CaffeineHat]

I'm glad others see it that way. I did find it disconcerting that one of the comments below the story was something to the effect of, "how are they going to function in the 'real world'?" Some people don't realize that observant Jews have functioned just fine in the real world for centuries.

[Rick]

Good for them. I respect them holding to their beliefs and principles.

[Long Island Bob]

+1

[MarkyS]

I applaud these kids for standing up for their faith. The Texas Association of Parochial and Private Schools made the wrong call, here. They do not schedule games for Sundays because most of their associate members are Christian schools, but they insist on playing on the Jewish Sabbath?

Bad form. They could have accommodated these kids.

M

[CaffeineHat]

I applaud these kids for standing up for their faith. The Texas Association of Parochial and Private Schools made the wrong call, here. They do not schedule games for Sundays because most of their associate members are Christian schools, but they insist on playing on the Jewish Sabbath?

Bad form. They could have accommodated these kids.

M

This is what I thought too, but I'm glad that they didn't resort to assuming the role of the "victim". They joined the organization knowing the rules and knowing how the organization schedules things, and they were warned about the possible conflict when they joined. The kids played an outstanding season, I'm glad that they are at least able to feel the pride of that reward.

[CaffeineHat]

Update!! Well the players maintained a steady front, but several vocal critics and a few local lawyers managed to sway the TAPP. One of the people who called was former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy. The TAPP reconsidered, and the opponent offered an alternative game time. The Beren Stars WON the semi final played at 2pm today and go on to play in the finals on Saturday at 8pm.

Regardless of the intervention of lawyers and outsiders, the boys maintained a steady and classy front.

[MarkyS]

Update!! Well the players maintained a steady front, but several vocal critics and a few local lawyers managed to sway the TAPP. One of the people who called was former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy. The TAPP reconsidered, and the opponent offered an alternative game time. The Beren Stars WON the semi final played at 2pm today and go on to play in the finals on Saturday at 8pm.

Regardless of the intervention of lawyers and outsiders, the boys maintained a steady and classy front.

Well, that's fantastic! These guys will be able to look back on these days with pride for the rest of their lives, come what may.

M