Jewish School That Refused to Play Hoops on Shabbat Is Back in State Playoffs

By JTA February 27, 2013

Beren Academy, which made international headlines last year with its battle to avoid a forfeit in the Texas state boys’ basketball tournament over a Sabbath scheduling conflict, is back in the state semifinals.

The Houston Jewish day school advanced on Tuesday in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools 2A tournament with a 62-52 overtime victory over Northeast Christian. The Stars will play Friday afternoon in Fort Worth; supporters say Beren would be the first Jewish school to win a state championship.

Beren lost in the 2A title game last season after initially being forced to forfeit its semifinal because the game, scheduled for Friday night, conflicted with the Sabbath. The academy fought TAPPS to have the game rescheduled to Friday afternoon and eventually won the battle.

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