THE CJM IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED. SUPPORT US DURING OUR TRANSITION, SIGN UP FOR UPDATES, OR RENT THE MUSEUM FOR YOUR EVENT

Pop CultureJewish History

Sunday Stories: The Birth of the Golden State Warriors

Before they were the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco's beloved basketball team was founded in Pennsylvania as the South Philadelphia Hebrew Association (SPHAS). A thriving Jewish basketball culture had emerged alongside the invention of basketball in the late nineteenth century, as Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe settled in urban "ghettos," Jewish youth began to assimilate into American culture. Alongside other Jewish teams, the SPHAS steadily gained fame—eventually becoming the Philadelphia Warriors and later San Francisco's own Golden State Warriors. Just in time for March Madness, join The CJM this month for a look at the Jewish history behind one of San Francisco's most famous teams.

This video was originally published on The CJM's Facebook Live on March 20, 2022.

ABout Sunday Stories

Sunday Stories is a series of live video presentations that explore Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas. Sit back, relax, and discover new stories every month!

For more content you can engage with from home, check out our Jewseum from Home  page.

Explore the Archive
A photo of a man looking through a spyglass at the camera


Explore the full archive of Sunday Stories, a visual lecture series exploring art, history, and pop culture through a Jewish lens. 

Related Content