hbb@houxt.UUCP (05/22/84)
Toby's point is well taken. However, under the assumption that many of the other Jewish parents whose children go to the same school as does Toby's daughter, do, in fact, have concern about the observance of the Jewish holidays (like Shavuote and Succote,) there may be other explanations for their seeming indifference to the school administration's scheduling habits. One possibility is that the children of the other Jewish parents are not as interested in the events that seem to be consistantly scheduled on these days (mostly in the performing arts.) If that is the case, then the parents may not feel the need to complain just on principle. Another possibilty may be that the parents know that many other schools have exams and courses running in conflict with some of the Jewish holidays (like Shabbos.) Universities may be the most significant example of this, since achievement there often means more to the student. At any rate, these parents may be somewhat relieved that nothing more serious than extracurricular activities are scheduled on these days. -- Harlan B. Braude {houxm,allegra,harpo,hogpc,ihnp4,zehntel,ucbvax,sdcsvax,eagle,burl}!houxt!hbb
martillo@ihuxt.UUCP (Yehoyaqim Martillo) (05/26/84)
I see no particular reason for the government of the USA to be facilitating Jewish observance (although of course the government of the State of Israel should support Jewish observance) but Harlan B. Braude's rationalization of the school's behavior ignores the point Toby Robison was making. The vast majority of the Jews in his area seemed to care nothing about a regel and apparently most of the Jewish students in his daughter's activities casually desecrated a Hag. Here in Chicago, we are currently having a rather silly debate over using a Miqweh for reform and conservative conversions. I see no great reason to worry about non-Jews converting to a false religion. Also Toby Robison should not be terribly surprised that the local Jews who are practicing false religions do not practice them faithfully.