Giants Upset About Home Games On Jewish HolidaysEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (TZC) - The New York Giants, upset about being scheduled for home games on three Sundays in direct conflict with Jewish holidays, sent NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a letter Friday asking that one of the game times be changed.
The Giants Week 5 game is at 1 p.m. on October 11 against the Oakland Raiders, which falls during Simchat Torah, the Jewish celebration over the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle. On Week 14, the Giants play the Eagles at 8:20 p.m. on December 13, during the Chanukah holiday. The Giants are also home at 1 p.m. on December 27, during the Jewish fast day of Asara B'Tevet. That game, against the Carolina Panthers, could determine home field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
In the letter to Goodell, owners John Mara and Steve Tisch suggested the game against the Panthers be changed to an 8:20 p.m. start to give Jewish fans time to eat following the fast day.
"We were not contacted prior to this decision," Mara said. "We are flexible and would have been more than happy to work with the league to accommodate as many of our fans as possible."
Brian McCarthy, the NFL's vice president of corporate communications, said the league received the letter and was reviewing it.
The Jets are on the road for all three weeks, with games at Miami on October 12, Tampa Bay on December 13, and Indianapolis on December 27.
Some modern Orthodox Giants fans residing in Teaneck, New Jersey have announced plans to light a jumbo menorah at halftime of the Eagles game, and to observe the Asara B'Tevet fast day at Giants Stadium, complete with prayer services and a Torah reading. However, others have scoffed at the idea of going to a game on the solemn fast day. Superfeldman, who was spotted wearing a black hat and gartel along with an Earnest Byner jersey on Main Street in Queens, remarked, "Just great, Orthodox Jews at a Giants game on a Jewish fast day. And a minyan there with a Torah! What a disgrace! And lighting a menorah at a stadium?! The Greeks would be proud!"
posted on 4/17/2009
