Former Knicks Star Amar’e Stoudemire Returns to Madison Square Garden to Light Hanukkah Menorah
by Shiryn Solny
Former New York Knicks player Amar’e Stoudemire is set to return to Madison Square Garden to light a menorah for the first night of Hanukkah, the New York Daily News reported.
The menorah-lighting ceremony was to be held at Tuesday evening’s showdown between the Knicks and the visiting Los Angeles Lakers.
“Lighting the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah is a privilege in any location but having the opportunity to do it at Madison Square Garden and with the Knicks during their first ever Hanukkah Night is special,” the 35-year-old said in a statement.
The six-time NBA All-Star moved with his family to Israel in the summer of 2016 to play for the Hapoel Jerusalem basketball team — which he helped win the Israeli League championship in June.
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He is deeply connected to Judaism, and has said in the past that his family mostly keeps kosher and gathers for weekly Sabbath meals.
Stoudemire returned to the US this summer.