(JTA) — A Jewish girls’ high school basketball team forfeited its game at the Washington state tournament due to the Fast of Esther.
Officials at the Northwest Yeshiva High School of Mercer Island decided that since the girls would not be able to eat or drink, they could not play.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association denied the Orthodox school’s request that the game be moved to Thursday night. Northwest Yeshiva said it was willing to travel at its own expense to another venue, such as the opponent’s home court.
The yeshiva was aware when it headed to the state tournament that if it advanced past the first round, which began Wednesday, it would be faced with a game on Thursday afternoon, a minor fast day on the Jewish calendar.
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