NJ's MetLife Stadium site of Talmud celebration

By Katie Zezima

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Aug. 1 2012 7:50 p.m. MDT

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New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Joseph R. Fuentes, left, listens in East Rutherford, N.J, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012, as New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Jim Simpson describes the extra measures needed for the celebration Siyum HaShas at MetLife Stadium. The Siyum HaShas, marks the completion of the Daf Yomi, or daily reading and study of one page of the 2,711 page book. The cycle takes about 7½ years to finish. Organizers say this year's will be, by far, the largest one yet. More than 90,000 tickets have been sold.

Mel Evans, Associated Press

Summary

MetLife Stadium has been transformed into what organizers are saying is the world's largest synagogue, with tens of thousands of people gathering to celebrate the completion of the reading of the Talmud, the book of Jewish laws and traditions.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — MetLife Stadium has been transformed into what organizers are saying is the world's largest synagogue, with tens of thousands of people gathering to celebrate the completion of the reading of the Talmud, the book of Jewish laws and traditions.

The faithful streamed into the stadium for hours Wednesday night. Audio of the program, which included speeches, prayers and videos, streamed throughout the stadium's concourses.

"Tonight is a night of inspiration and opportunity," said Rabbi Elly Kleimnan, who addressed the audience from a dais that held about 500 rabbis.

State Police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes says roughly 600 state police and members of 71 agencies are working the event in East Rutherford.

Fuentes says troopers completed an eight-hour course where they were familiarized with the stadium and learned about Jewish customs.

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