Montreal, Canada – A Montreal hockey league says it can’t reschedule a playoff game that a West Island midget team says it will be forced to forfeit because of Passover.
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The Dollard-des-Ormeaux midget B Civics are upset with their regional league for scheduling the game during one of the most important Jewish holidays, which starts at sundown on March 29.
Devin Goldman, 15, said his team won’t have enough players available for the game because many of them are Jewish.
The team wants to reschedule, but the Dollard Hockey Association says it’s not that easy.
The regional league can’t reschedule a game for one team without doing the same for all others, said association spokesman Ken Doran, so it ruled out rescheduling during the playoffs.
“They’ve passed this rule because of limited ice surfaces, and if we move it for Passover, it means we have to move all the provincials, because of Easter,” he explained on Wednesday.
The rule isn’t fair for players, said Goldman.
“They’re all really upset, especially the non-Jewish ones, because they feel bad for us and for themselves,” he said. “They still have to suffer because we have a holiday and we can’t play.”
Doran said the league doesn’t schedule games on Christmas Day, nor Yom Kippur, the highest Jewish holiday of the year.
Many Christian players will be playing in the provincial championships on Easter weekend, he added.
Team manager Eva-Lynn Gross was told by organizers it would be “easier to move Passover” than to reschedule a playoff game.
Hockey is the main religion of Canada.
As a Jewish Canadian, I’d move Passover if there was a Stanely Cup game. Of course I wouldn’t do melacha, the TV would be on a timer but first we’d watch the game and then do the seder thing
None of the players should show up, therefore no one would win, no one would lose, but all would be winners showing respect for all team players.
to #1 , if i were you , id be a little more discreet in advertising my lack of control over my yetzer hara…shhh…not everyone has to know…
I am Jewish and attend a Public School,
Everyone in Quebec gets all Christian Holidays off such as Christmas, Easter, etc. but no one gets Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashana and Passover off. It’s just wrong.
Thanks to all of you for your very kind comments. Remember, it is all about the kids and the repsect for ALL faiths. No one of any faith should have to chose between their important holidays and sports. Hockey in Canada is a national past time but not a religion !! Regards to all from Canada.
Mr. Eichenbaum, for someone who says it is all about the kids you sure seem to enjoy getting your name out there.