Next Up For Amar’e Stoudemire: a Bar Mitzvah?
The New York Knick and Hapoel Jerusalem owner might also become a man
May 12, 2014
Amar'e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Amar’e Stoudemire, New York Knicks power forward, six-time NBA all-star, Jerusalem Hapoel part-owner, and Torah study enthusiast, might undergo that sacred Jewish rite of passage popularized by acne-ridden and braces-laden teenage boys: a bar mitzvah.
TMZ posted video footage of Stoudemire’s wife Alexis answering all sorts of invasive questions about Stat’s religious observance. Asked whether the 6’11 basketball player, who is also in the process of becoming an Israeli citzen, had been bar mitzvahed, she said, “We can always have one later on, you never know.”
The TMZ reporter, naturally, suggests a NBA theme for the party, to which Alexis replied. “And then you put him on the chair.”
Their four young children, Alexis added, will be b’nai mitzvahed as well.
Stat should be careful though—if we’ve learned anything from Michael Douglas’ hora-related injury at his son’s bar mitzvah, those parties can be dangerous.
Stephanie Butnick is the founder of GOLDA, a Jewish lifestyle newsletter. She hosted the Tablet podcast Unorthodox, co-authored The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia: From Abraham to Zabar’s and Everything in Between, and worked as a writer and editor at Tablet.
