Scalpers Driving Up High Holiday Seat Prices

Rabbi Phil T. Luker has spoken out against the phenomenon.

New York, September 2 – Would-be synagogue attendees find themselves unable to afford tickets to New Year and Day of Atonement services at metro area Jewish houses of worship, observers report, because resellers have snatched up the bulk of available places and demand more than face value, putting them out of reach for most middle-class worshipers.

Sources at area synagogues disclosed to PreOccupied Territory this week that they have seen fewer purchases of High Holiday tickets than in past years, a phenomenon they attribute through direct and anecdotal evidence to scalpers who cornered the market on the prize items and aim to sell them at a significant profit to desperate families and individuals.

“It’s apparent that scalpers have finally hit the lucrative captive market they’ve been looking for,” remarked Hetza Bikkush, treasurer of Temple Emmoneywell of Manhattan’s Upper West Side. “Our members, at least the ones who come these three days a year, are hardly poor, but many tell me they cannot meet the steep prices that resellers have set. We’re basically sold out, but it would appear that unless enough people of means purchase those seats on the secondary market, we might have an attendance problem.” Ms. Bikkush added that Rabbi Phil T. Luker has spoken out against the phenomenon as violating the central Jewish tenets of social justice and patrilineal descent to ensure sufficient attendance to support a spiritual leader in a high-cost city.

“We’re priced out of our favorite place this year,” lamented Joseph Schmoe of Hicksville, Long Island. “Beth Baksheesh usually has reasonably-priced seats for my wife, daughter, and me. We get to demonstrate our commitment to the community by showing up on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for a few hours and going through the motions, which is what we’re been taught is Jewish spirituality. But I can’t afford to spend more than a couple thousand dollars for the privilege, and many of my fellow members face similar constraints. In this economy only the really rich can toss away money on seats they might not even use, let alone deserve. Did I say that out loud? Don’t print that last part – I’m trying to get in good with one of the wealthy board members.”

Experts predict the market will sort itself out in time for next year’s High Holidays, but for many folks that may prove too late. “Some will choose not to attend this year at all,” stated analyst Mark Etgouger. “It’s just not worth the stress, waiting until the scalpers have a bunch of unsold seats they’re trying to offload, even at a loss, closer in. Many people will simply give voice to their spirituality this year as they usually do, cutting a check to the Federation or some interfaith picnic group.”

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