Large Jewish event at MetLife Stadium draws tight security presence

A large Jewish event expected to congregate 92,000 people at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey New Year’s Day has drawn tight security presence after anti-Semitic incidents in the New York area.

Crowds are gathering in the stadium to celebrate the reading of the whole Talmud, which takes 7 ½ years, in an event called Siyum HaShas, The Associated Press reported Wednesday. The event will be broadcasted internationally.

Rabbi Yosef Golding, an event organizer, told The Record newspaper that more than 50 law enforcement agencies have worked together to provide security in the stadium. More than 300 state police officers will be present and in uniform, according to the AP. 

The last Siyum HaShas in 2012 gathered 90,000 people, The Record reported, according to the AP.

The New York area has experienced several anti-Semitic incidents in recent weeks, including a shooting in Jersey City at a kosher market that killed three last month and a stabbing during a Hanukkah celebration that injured five people last weekend.

New York City itself has been subjected to anti-Semitic incidents during the holiday week, with several reports of attacks with potential anti-Semitic motives.