Fresh off the exciting Super Bowl win of one of its tenants, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, can expect increased revenue next year. However, in this challenging economy, no opportunity to develop a new source of revenue should be overlooked. The stadium found just the source it was looking for: Orthodox Jews.
Our community has unique cultural and religious requirements, so MetLife Stadium worked hand-in-hand with Agudath Israel of America to accommodate religious fans. A major breakthrough has been announced: MetLife Stadium will build a mechitzah across the entire stadium to accommodate separate seating for men and women. The mechitzah will run through all seating levels. The result: over 20,000 seats available for a women’s section.
This will mark the first time in United States history that a mechitzah of this magnitude will be built. Negotiations to build this mechitzah could not have been easy. Flimsy movable partitions are not an option when public safety is involved. This will be a solidly installed mechitzah which will be supported by beams that are drilled into the stadium’s new concrete walls. The mechitzah construction carries a price tag of no less than a quarter of a million dollars.
Will women now be able to perform “the wave” at sports events with complete privacy? Unfortunately, current plans call for the mechitzah to be dismantled after the Siyum HaShas in August. Currently, the plans are to return the stadium to the same condition it was in before the mechitzah was installed. (But maybe MetLife Stadium will alter its plans after witnessing the tremendous kiddush Hashem.) Repairing the holes in the concrete is one reason why the mechitzah carries such a high price tag.
One can debate whether a mechitzah is actually necessary at this event. Yet, to encourage all segments of the Orthodox population to attend, there is no question that having a mechitzah is important.
A Siyum HaShas is held as a celebration of completing the daf yomi cycle. Daf yomi learners study a page a day of the Talmud and complete the entire Talmud every seven and a half years. The sixth Siyum HaShas took place in 1968 at the Bais Yaakov of Boro Park; 300 people attended. The ninth Siyum HaShas was held in 1990 at Madison Square Garden; 20,000 people attended. This summer, a giant leap forward will be made when the twelfth Siyum HaShas will be held at MetLife Stadium, which can accommodate over 90,000 people.
Some amenities of the stadium are particularly noteworthy. MetLife Stadium has been equipped with the most advanced assistive listening system (ALS). This is a perfect system to offer simultaneous translation of the speeches for those that need it. Guests who choose to bring their own headset and receiver may access the system on a standard FM broadcast.
The stadium was built to accommodate handicapped individuals. This ensures that everyone may take part in the Siyum HaShas. There will be 25,000 spots available for parking, but mass transit is recommended. The Meadowlands Rail Line of NJ Transit operates on event days between the newly constructed Meadowlands Station and Hoboken Terminal via Secaucus Junction, where there is connecting service to Pennsylvania Station (New York City), Pennsylvania Station (Newark), and other New Jersey Transit rail operations. NJ Transit will have the Siyum HaShas on its schedule.
Regarding a tax deduction for attending the siyum, the tax experts at Agudath Israel have advised the community that purchasing seats to attend a religious siyum ceremony is no different than purchasing a High Holy Day seat in a synagogue. You may take the ticket price as a tax deduction, but not the food purchased at concession stands.
The real question on everyone’s mind is: what if it rains? MetLife Stadium did not build a dome, because of a dispute over financing. Agudath Israel has contracted with MetLife Stadium to reserve Thursday night as well for a rain date. Everyone is urged to supply Agudath Israel with a cell number or e‑mail address to be contacted in case of inclement weather.
Because the siyum is being held in an open-air stadium in the middle of a potentially hot summer, a decision was made to start the siyum an hour later than past siyumim. The start time is officially 7:00 p.m. Sunset is around 7:45. There will be ample time to daven Minchah at the biggest minyan in recent history. Due to the later start time, Agudath Israel will try to cut down on the program somewhat to allow people to return home at a decent hour.
Agudath Israel is arranging transportation from the Catskills for campers who want to attend the event. Even young children may attend. Parents must decide if their child will be able to sit for a few hours of speeches. The Agudah is not instituting a minimum age.
Seats are going fast and Agudath Israel expects a sellout crowd. Already over 30,000 seats have been requested. Group requests have come in from places such as Dallas, Los Angeles, Panama, and Argentina. Since the idea behind the event is to service those that study daf yomi, Agudath Israel is giving priority seating to them. After February, seating will be open to the general public. Anyone can request a seat now, but the order will not be fulfilled until all the priority seating applications have been processed.
Ticket prices range from $18 through $1,000. All seats facing the dais are more expensive than those behind the dais. Everyone will be able to view the ceremonies on the video screens.
In conjunction with the Siyum HaShas, Agudath Israel is arranging a program for children. Children who complete a segment of Torah will be eligible for a prize. The smallest prize will be an authentic authorized Siyum HaShas commemorative pen that will likely be awarded to children who complete a perek of Mishnayos (such as Pirkei Avos.)
In the words of the Agudah, “This siyum, like others before it, will honor the memory of the six million kedoshim who perished in the fires of Churban Europe. It will be a powerful testament to the eternity of Torah and the idea that it alone can preserve our past and ensure our future.”
For more information, contact the Siyum HaShas hotline at 877-SIYUM-12 or e‑mail SiyumhaShas@AgudathIsrael.org.