Yesterday I mentioned that Neil Kleid had posted an open letter to the New York ComicCon expressing his disappointment over the con taking place at the beginning of Passover. Lance Fensterman with the NYCC posted a response on the NYCC blog:
Needless to say, I’m none too happy about the Passover situation either, so let’s get that out of the way right off the bat – we are really sorry about this and certainly intended no disrespect towards anyone. The unfortunate reality is that these were the dates we were given at the Javits Center. Javits is unlike most places in that the demand for the space far outstrips the availability, so customers, such as NYCC, are left with little to no choice as to what dates we are given. To that point, I’ll announce here first that the show will be moving back to February next year – because we want to be in February? Not really. Quite simply, these are the only dates we can get next year.
While this is not an excuse, we took the April dates because we thought they were the best dates we had to pick from, which is to say the only dates we had to pick from! Our other choice was to be in February in space that we have already outgrown (the show will almost double in size form 07 to 08), April, or skip a year. We made the “best” of the poor choices we had. We completely regret that they fall on Passover but I hope it is accepted that this is not out of a lack of respect or concern to the fans, creators, exhibitors or anyone else associated with the con. I totally understand how you might feel “insulted”, but this decision was not made out of malice towards you or people of the Jewish faith.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:58 am
I’m sorry but you’re being strong-armed into moving the Con back to Feb next year. That’s too bad.
As for Kleid’s letter, boo fricken’ hoo. No one’s making you go to the show. If it happens to fall on your holiday, well, that’s just too bad.
Gotta love how someone else’s religion impacts my life.
Grow up, Kleid.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:55 am
Goddamnit…
If this con is in February again, they better get that line system better organized so that we all don’t freeze outside waiting to get in…AGAIN
February 1st, 2008 at 10:00 am
I’ll second jZa above– I’m actually really looking forward to it being in April. New York in February is HARSH.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:45 am
Gosd, you’re my bud and all but if this con fell on Easter Sunday Christians would be all up in arms and doing the same thing.
Passover is an important holiday in our religion (one can argue there are really 3….Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur) and most Jews have rules and traditions that they follow in regards to those holidays. Which include being at home and having the traditional seder service with friends and family.
Watch how many professionals don’t show up to the con this year simply because they’re practicing the holiday.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:52 am
Life is about choices. If your religiion is that important to you, you dont go. But to try and force change on others because of that isnt kosher.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:47 am
I have to agree with Evan on this, I know that if the main day of the Con fell on Easter Sunday, I would be complaining too and I’m sure I wouldn’t be the only one.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:51 am
And for all those non religious types, How about if they held it this weekend, right in conflict with the Superbowl? (although I know the game doesn’t start till 6:30 pm but you know what I mean…
February 1st, 2008 at 1:04 pm
It’s good to know that next year’s con will be available to all. It’s not so good to know that it’s February again. I swore after last year that I wouldn’t attend NYCC if were to be held in the winter again – and I won’t. (Feb in NY is awful and I hate the Javitz.) I’ll just save it up for San Diego – the best run con anywhere!
February 1st, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Sandy Koufax didn’t ask MLB to move the World Series game on Yom Kippur. It’s a choice you make. If your religion is something that is a focal point of your life then you don’t go. Simple as that. Nobody will look down on you if you don’t go.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Wow. It does my heart good to see in these comments that close-mindedness/disrespect for the beliefs of others is still alive and well. */sarcasm*
Barnmate: Yeah, if it fell on Easter Sunday, I wouldn’t go either. Then again, I don’t live near NYC, so I wouldn’t be able to go either way.
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:43 am
Look NYCC made an economic choice based on dates available. This choice may or may not have included whatever loss of revenue would occur due to Passover. They would/could do the same thing if the dates had been over Easter.
Frankly, I think placing the Con in February during the winter and just after many people have paid off any lingering holiday bills is an even worse idea than holding the during Passover or Easter. But it’s not my decision to make.
New Yorkers should be glad though that some one cares enough to finally mount a growing convention there. This was not always the case. I still can’t believe Kleid would post a letter complaining that “your convention is getting in the way of my religion”. Eat your matza and quit your kvetching. G-d only listens to prayers not whining.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I think they should move the con to Mother’s Day.
I’m sure all the moms would appreciate having their sons out of the house for that day.
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Thankfully there aren’t that many Jews in the comics industry, so I doubt this is going to impact the pros all that much.
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I don’t mean to sound like a jerk, but it seems to me like there is a holiday for jewish people every other week. At least in my town, which is about 70% jewish.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
So then quit your bitching and move to another town, Adolf.
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Hahaha, I’m not bitching at all. I don’t have a problem with any religion or it’s people. I’m just saying that there are many religious holidays, and that the Jewish faith seems to have many. It’s not possible to please everyone, but that’s the world we live in today.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
As a religious Jew, I should note that I would have a very, very hard time ever attending this convention on a Saturday in the first place. And it doesn’t bother me. Nor does that the con is on Passover. (If it were a week later, I still wouldn’t be able to attend, as I observe those last days the same way as the first.)
Would I like to be able to go to this? Yeah. But my life has other priorities.
Besides, it’s not like I really could get a ticket and not like I really wanted to fight with the crowds. This con is a victim of its own success.