the seen
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s ‘dissent’ collar, bobblehead and more join
Smithsonian’s permanent exhibition
The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader
Ginsburg’s children have donated dozens of
objects that symbolize her time on the court
and her role as a pop culture icon to the
Smithsonian National Museum of American
History. The objects include her famous “dissent”
and “majority” collars, which she famously
liked to wear to telegraph her votes on cases;
her judicial robe; a bobblehead and Legos of
her likeness; as well as various documents
and awards.

The museum, which has enshrined the dona-
tions in its permanent collection, posthumously
awarded Ginsburg with its Great Americans
Medal last week at a ceremony honoring
her achievements.

The medal “has honored those who have
not only made a lasting impact in their fields
but those whose philanthropic and humanitar-
ian endeavors set them apart,” read a press
release from the Smithsonian. Past recipients
of the award include Madeleine Albright, Colin
Powell, Tom Brokaw, Cal Ripken Jr., Billie Jean
This white lace jabot or collar often adorned Ginsburg’s black
dress robes during her time on the Supreme Court and it is the
one that appears in a number of her official Supreme Court
photographs (2001, 2003, 2009 and 2010).

King, Paul Simon and Dr. Anthony Fauci.

The virtual tribute for Ginsburg featured a
biographical film narrated by Gloria Steinem
and testimonials from President Jimmy Carter,
Chief Justice John Roberts, Barbara Streisand
and Oprah Winfrey, as well as a conversation
between the museum’s director, Anthea M.

Hartig, and the justice’s children, Jane and
James. Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme
Court in 1993 and served until her death on
Erev Rosh Hashanah in 2020. The Washington
Post reported that Ginsburg’s family invited
curators from the Smithsonian to her chambers
a few weeks after she died.

“There was always an understanding there,
that the Smithsonian would be a big part of
where some of the more significant items
would go,” James Ginsburg said. “That Mom
kept all of this stuff does not surprise me. That
was in her nature. She was someone who pre-
served things.”
— Jackie Hajdenberg
Robe: Jaclyn Nash, courtesy of the National Museum of American History; Avdija: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images via JTA
Deni Avdija draws Stars of David
on his sneakers as violence
surges in Israel
As the only Israeli in the National
Basketball Association, Deni Avdija has
not been shy about his Jewish and Israeli
pride. The 21-year-old has shared Chanukah
with his Washington Wizards teammates,
spoken at the team’s Jewish Heritage
Night and attempted to grow the NBA’s
popularity in Israel.

After multiple violent attacks in Israel
recently, Avdija again used his platform to
express support for his home country.

Before Washington’s
home game against the Orlando Magic,
Avdija wrote “Am Yisrael Chai” (“the
Jewish people live”) and drew Stars
of David on his sneakers. It is not
the first time he has used his basketball
shoes to share a Jewish message — last
year he called attention to Holocaust
Remembrance Day.

“My heart is with Israel,” Avdija told
reporters, according to Israel Hayom.

4 APRIL 7, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
“I am very sad to hear about what is
happening in Israel. There are things that
are bigger than basketball and with how
much I try to represent us in the NBA, it is
difficult for me.”
He continued: “My friends and family
are in Israel, I watch the news almost
every day, I watch Israeli TV. My heart
goes out to the families and to the peo-
ple of Israel, let’s hope it ends as soon as
possible. I will not get into politics, but I
am sending a hug and love. It’s hard to
watch.” The 6-foot-9 small forward has
appeared in all 76 of the Wizards’ games
this season, starting in six. He is averag-
ing 8.1 points per game.

Avdija made history as the high-
est-drafted Israeli in NBA history when
he was selected ninth overall in the 2020
NBA draft.

— Jacob Gurvis
Deni Avdija in action during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD
Garden in Boston on Jan. 8, 2021.