Brooklyn, NY – In what is being hailed as a ‘first of it’s kind,’ the home of the Brooklyn Nets, the Barclays Center, is reaching out to New York’s Orthodox Jewish community by offering gender-divided seating at an upcoming concert.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
The HUFFINGTON POST (http://huff.to/WXlqxB) is reporting today that at the upcoming Feb. 28 concert by violinist Itzhak Perlman, several hundred seats are being set aside so that Jewish men and women can sit in separate areas—as is custom.
Bruce Ratner, majority owner and developer of Barclays, said that ‘to his knowledge’ the ultra-Orthodox arrangement was a first.
“Being in Brooklyn and being an arena that caters to such diversity, the opportunity to do things different than elsewhere is enormous,” Ratner told the Huffington Post.
Ratner, who is Jewish, as well as a fan of liturgical music, said marketing to the strictly observant is ‘worth a try,’ and is looking forward to seeing the results.
In an effort to appeal to the most traditional communities, Barclays has cut the main arena’s 19,000 concert capacity to 5,000, with tickets for the aisle-divided section going for $50. Remaining seats will be open to anyone else.
The arena will also augment its regular Avenue K kosher food service for the evening with entrees from Abigael’s, a kosher restaurant in Manhattan.
Looking out for the next kinus. I mean, what bettet place can there be, close to bp, willi, flatbush and CH
“Bruce Ratner, majority owner and developer of Barclays, said that ‘to his knowledge’ the ultra-Orthodox arrangement was a first.”
I guess he hasn’t heard of siyumay hashas etc that have taken place in the local arenas & stadia.
19000 seats? Where?????
Barclays Center Capacity: Approximately 17,732 for Brooklyn Nets & 14,500 for hockey.
Nice move, classy!
Was at Barclays last night for the Nets exciting overtime windo They’re so Jewish friendly, they make you buy their high priced kosher food. Unlike Yankees Stadium, they do NOT let you bring in your own food.
Strictly a business decision.
I hope to G-d they have the next siyum hashas at Barclay’s. A nice, easy 20 minute ride on either the D or B from Boro Park or Flatbush, or on the LIRR from 5 Towns. It was a nightmare getting out to the Meadowlands, especially since NJT didn’t accommodate the event adequately.