I am writing with regard to the Jeffrey Toobin event at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center Thursday night, July 5.

I arrived at the center around 6:15 and commented to my husband that the parking lot was already full and how surprised I was that so many people were already in line (approximately 70).

I joined the queue while my husband parked the car at the Tisbury School. In the short time he was gone the line doubled and, even after he returned, it continued to grow down the block. The weather was perfect. We ran into friends and chatted with those around us, and we looked forward to hearing Mr. Toobin and to the center’s wonderful desserts.

At 6:50 ticket sales began. For the first few minutes everyone moved forward in an orderly fashion. Suddenly, from the far end of the line, someone broke ranks and crossed the lawn in a beeline for the front door.

Herd mentality set in as the line dissolved and those near the middle and back rushed the entrance. It reminded me of behavior you see on Black Friday: people waiting to buy a television, stereo or some piece of technology; people who care only about themselves, fearful they won’t get what they came for and ignoring any rules of civility. The crush at the door was stunning. With all respect to Mr. Toobin, these were not teens waiting to see Justin Bieber; these were mostly seniors. What had been for some of us a guaranteed ticket was no longer the case. Disgusted by what was happening, my husband and I left.

Perhaps the Hebrew Center’s managers should rethink the ticket policy and begin selling them in advance. Alternately, they could open the center’s doors to allow seating as people arrive or, if organizers need time before the event to ready the space, they could distribute numbers (think: bakery or deli counter). A separate line for donors might be another option.

Something went terribly wrong on Thursday night. I hope this will never happen again.

Alicia Tonti
West Tisbury