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Jewish NY Jet fans unhappy about 2009 NFL schedule

Oi Vei!

The New York Jets’ first two home games are against two of the AFC’s elite teams — the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans. A large segment of the team’s fans might not be able to attend the heavyweight matchups, however.

The Jets’ home opener against the Patriots is scheduled during Rosh Hashanah. The next week, the Jets host the Titans hours before Yom Kippur starts. The conflict with the two holiest holidays on the Jewish calendar may keep the team’s Jewish fans who observe the holidays from attending.

New York boasts the country’s largest Jewish population.

On Wednesday, the Jets called the NFL to complain about the scheduling conflict, according to the New York Daily News.

Howard Katz, who oversees the creation of the NFL schedule, took full responsiblity for the oversight.

“The Jets are hearing from their fans,” Katz, the NFL’s senior VP of broadcasting, told the newspaper. “There was miscommunication between the Jets and the NFL office, for which I take full responsibility. All we can continue to do is look and see if there is a solution to this.”

The Giants requested they play on the road on the two holidays. The Jets did the same, but the message didn’t get through to the league office, Katz told the newspaper.

Rosh Hashanah, which is the Jewish New Year, is observed in 2009 from sundown Sept. 18 (Friday) until sundown on Sept. 20 (Sunday). The Jets play the Patriots at 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 20.

Yom Kippur, which is the Jewish day of atonement, begins at sundown on Sept. 27. The Jets host the Titans at 4:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Is it too simple a solution to change the Sept 27 start time to 1 p.m. so the game won’t be in conflict with the Jewish holiday? Overall I’m in sympathy with the fans, for I grew up following the Jets(Oh those Al Woodall and Rich Caster days) and I have a Jewish brother-in-law.

 
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