Campus events conflict with Jewish Holy Days

Kyle Nelson Assistant Life Editor

Whether it was its abnormally late date or its always inopportune midweek occurrence, the Jewish High Holy Days caused a stir this year as both faculty and students struggled during one of the most stressful times of the academic year: mid-term exams. This coincidence of events has revealed a lack of awareness that, while not in any way sinister, shows that as a campus, Vassar still has much to learn.

The nature of the holidays left Jewish students confused. “It seemed odd to me that I had an exam scheduled on the High Holidays and that there were students considering going to sports practices on empty stomachs,” said freshman representative for the Vassar Jewish Union (VJU) Natania Gazek. “It was shocking to me, knowing the large population of Jews on the campus. I came from an area in California with a school of 1,500 kids and I was one of two kids who wouldn’t be in class for the High Holidays.”

In the official Vassar College 2005-2006 Academic Planner, both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are represented (as most Jewish holidays are) as beginning on the sundown of the previous day. The problem, however, is that there has been no need thus far to handle this issue on a “school policy” basis.

“There have been conflicts in the past but never of this magnitude,” said Advisor to Jewish Students Rena Blumenthal.

Blumenthal received student complaints saying that some teachers were scheduling mid-term exams and significant assignments on the High Holy Days. The VJU sponsored a letter writing night, but because of poor attendance, little was done. Its goal was to raise campus awareness for the High Holy Days, make sure exams would not be scheduled for these days, and explain what exactly these holidays entail for observant Jewish students. “The school needs to be more accommodating,” said Gazek.

Official school policy dictates that students must give two week’s notice to professors in order to be excused for class, religious events included. “Students who intend to be absent in order to observe a Holy Day are expected to notify their instructors in advance or arrange to make up any work missed,” said Dean of the Faculty Ron Sharp. There has not been an official complaint filed since Sharp arrived at Vassar.

During exam week, however, this protocol is often forgotten amidst the towers of work; and combined with the High Holy Days, the most sacred of Jewish holidays, students felt equal amounts of pressure and conflict to participate in their religious obligations or educational responsibilities. “I was sad about the fact that so many students felt so torn,” said Blumenthal. “Vassar students are incredibly conscientious and when they have a commitment, athletic or as a language drill instructor, or class, they think 10 times before they ask to get out of it. Religious, personal, and communal commitments should be important to students, as well as everyone else.”

Now a forum for discussion has been opened between the Jewish community and the administration. “I’m going to discuss it with Sam [Speers, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life], the Dean of Faculty [Ron Sharp], and the Dean of Students [D.B. Brown],” said Blumenthal. “We’re going to have conversations and come up with some good ideas. I think that we are in a very safe and well-meaning environment and we have a very well-intentioned administration and faculty”

“We take the Holy Days most seriously and we want to support all our students in their religious observances,” said President Fran Fergusson. With time, a resolution will be reached so, hopefully, such a problem will not occur again.

“We will review how the College’s policies are conveyed to the broader community—students and faculty alike,” said Sharp. Hopefully, with a new awareness and understanding Vassar can assure its students that they will never feel pressure to choose between such collegiate and religious obligations again.