Yom Kippur School Holiday (school districts, child care, rating)

[ishing]

Why do schools in DE close for Yom Kippur? It isn't a public holiday and most other religious festivals aren't school holidays?

[SXMGirl]

Not all schools close for Yom Kippur, but I think Red Clay is closed. Probably have a large Jewish population, much like parts of NJ.

[Davachka]

Originally Posted by ishing

Why do schools in DE close for Yom Kippur? It isn't a public holiday and most other religious festivals aren't school holidays?

Yom Kippur is not a "religious festival". It is one of the biggest and holiest religious holidays of the year for the Jewish faith.

[phlydude]

Why is school closed for Christmas?

Granted, the Jewish population is no where as large as the Christian population but the 2 Spet/Oct holidays are the "high holidays" in the faith - today is the day of atonement - fasting and prayer day, the holiest day in the faith

[ishing]

It just creates problems for parents who don't celebrate this day and are both working - meaning a day off or child care. At least Christmas is a Public Holiday.

Also - our school is closed for Colombus Day - and we don't celebrate the Colombus faith either...

[phlydude]

Columbus Day is a National Holiday...there is no faith associate with Christopher Columbus (I hope you realize that) as is Martin Luther King, Jr., Veterans Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, etc.

Are you new to the area? Because my whole life in the Philly Metro Region, public schools have been closed on Jewish holidays. Parochial schools will not be closed for these holidays...there is your alternative.

[Davachka]

I dont celebrate the "Colombus" faith either. LOL

Nor the Christmas faith either for that matter. And guess what, my husband has worked most Christmases so public holiday or not, people still have to work.

Originally Posted by ishing

It just creates problems for parents who don't celebrate this day and are both working - meaning a day off or child care. At least Christmas is a Public Holiday.

Also - our school is closed for Colombus Day - and we don't celebrate the Colombus faith either...

[armx]

We should all be happy to learn that the school district is not just giving lip service but demonstrating equality. A good first step!! May be we can be sensitive to students (and faiths) of other major religions too.

[phlydude]

Honestly, if you want equality, leave the school open on all the holidays (non-Federal) and let students notify in advance of an absence for a holiday that is not held against them. If we were tolerant of all religions, schools would be closed half the year...

Time for a true seperation of church and state (school districts count as state) - let the schools operate in assembly if needed (as some teachers would be off as well).

As a Catholic growing up, if I were to attend church on the "Holy Days of Obligation", I would have missed at least 2 days a year (maybe 3) just on required "Church" days. But despite being the largest sect of Christianity world-wide, it didn't matter - those days were not off.

But my religion or your religion, phanatical or docile, there are always going to be a range of people who have their opinions about what should and shouldn't be...

But just remember, in spite of faith, religion in the USA is a business...

[mlassoff]

I would think the employees of those school districts might expect their religious observances respected by their employer.

Why is the Yom Kippur Holiday observed by schools in Deleware? Maybe cause its not Texas and they realize there is more than one religion observed by students and staff..