Girls’ Team to Forfeit Tournament Game Held on Fast Day

Despite having only seven players, the Northwest Yeshiva High School girls’ basketball team is in the Washington state tournament for the first time. But one of the games is scheduled for the fast of Esther tomorrow. If the yeshiva team ends up playing, they’ve decided to forfeit.

The school has asked the Washington Interscholatic Activities Authority, offering to partner with them financially, to allow the girls to play in the evening, even if they have to travel to the opponent’s venue.


  1. kidush hashem. messirut nefesh. please more posts like this.

  2. Why forfeit? My son once had a judo match on Ta’anit Esther. Lots of religious kids participated.

    We are facing an interesting problem in my family. My 7yo’s have their first judo tournament this Monday, on Shushan Purim. It is in Jerusalem, for Jerusalem kids (which mine are), from 10:00 and will last several hours. I am trying to decide what to do. Usually Purim day is completely taken up with Megilla reading, Mishloah Manot, and Se’udah. I really don’t like the idea of skipping Purim, so to speak. But I also don’t want to make my sons give up their tournament. I am considering doing Mishloah Manot really early (6:30), then going to Megilla reading, then the tournament, and then Se’uda. It sounds possible but unappealing. I feel bad that I have to make this choice davka in Israel!

  3. Ilana, I don’t think that’s skipping Purim at all. My friend told me that she does megilla and mm in the early morning, goes with a family to a museum or other outing, then eats the seuda with friends in a restaurant. I spend the whole day dealing with both. Her way sounds very attractive.

    In the video they were concerned about health issues. I may be wrong, but I think basketball is more strenuous than judo.

    I remember that someone asked to postpone an exam in high school because of Purim seudah. I thought that was unnecessary, as they could have eaten it in school.

  4. True, you are much more likely to dehydrate playing basketball than judo.

    I don’t like making Purim so packed and stressed. I usually feel like it’s packed very full as it is. I’m not keen on adding in a several-hour project.

  5. Abe, thanks for your instant feedback.

  6. Esther Aaron says

    They lost the game. Unless things change at the last moment, they are forfeiting the game today. We can all pray for a Purim miracle.

    I know most of these girls and I know that they play very hard and do their best. It is very sad that they are being denied the opportunity to play.

  7. Kisush Hashem!
    I know many of the girls – when we lived in Seattle my son was in their class and I am so proud of them. Way to go Julia Owen!

  8. It bothers me that the girls’ league was not more accomodating of their religious beliefs/restrictions.

    Especially since the team was offering to play in their opponents home court (giving the other team a decided advantage) and participate in any additional expenses.

    One might think that the sportsman’s motto (“may the best man win”) would inspire them to want a fair and just competition. After all, winning because the other side forfeited, isn’t the same as winning a real game.

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