BOSTON – The Greater Boston Jewish community turned out in full force for Jewish American Heritage Month night at Fenway Park on May 27. 

This included a large contingent of students, families, and some staff from the Arthur J. Epstein Hillel School in Marblehead filling the stands in the old ballyard. 

There were about 100 people representing the school at the game, according to Tamar Skowronski, the school’s marketing and communications manager. “The game was so fun, and I loved spending time with my friends from EHS there,” said second grader Isabella Weintraub in the email. 

Jewish heritage night has been celebrated annually at the park since 2015, and before the game, the Red Sox PA announcer said, “Tonight, and every night we are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our diverse and vibrant Jewish American community.”   

With members of the Jewish community from the Boston Red Sox lining the mound in a semi-circle, Lynnfield native and Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston President and CEO Rabbi Marc Baker threw out a ceremonial first pitch for a strike, after which the organist struck up “Hava Nagila.” 

Another highlight was Temple Emanuel of Newton’s Cantor Elias Rosemberg and his 17-year-old son, David, hitting it out of the park with their rendition of the national anthem, with the cantor’s booming bass voice filling Fenway with his son singing harmony alongside him. 

Cantor Rosemberg told the Journal this was the first time he had sung the national anthem at Fenway. He had previously performed twice at Gillette Stadium and has sung at minor league stadiums. 

“It was a fun experience,” said Rosemberg, a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina. “It was beautiful.” 

Also, on the field for pre-game festivities were state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Consul General of Israel to New England Benny Sharoni, and Jack Casey of Melrose High’s Class of 2026. “We thank you for being leaders of the pack and hope your groups enjoy tonight’s ball game,” the announcer said. 

Students from the Solomon Schecter Day School of Greater Boston in Newton got the chance to line up with Red Sox players along the first-base line during the national anthem. 

Those who purchased tickets through a special “celebrations” page on the Red Sox website received a free green City Connect jersey with “Red Sox” spelled out in Hebrew letters across the front with the lucky No. 18 on the back.  

The Jewish community brought the struggling Sox some luck as their bats lit up, and the team trounced the Atlanta Braves 8-0.