Missing classes/exams/graduation for holidays or Shabbat

Jewish holidays often fall during the week, and since Jewish law precludes writing or working on those days, it makes it hard to attend class. Furthermore, the prohibition against writing is incompatible with taking exams (save for perhaps oral exams). Besides for the technical and legal difficulties that arise, it also is not considered the “spirit of the law” to celebrate or commemorate Judaism’s holiest days by going to class. It has become rare for classes to meet over Shabbat but if so, that would also be an issue. There’s also the issue of graduation, which sometimes comes into direct conflict with either Shabbat or Shavuot, and which makes it difficult for religious students and their families to attend.

 

Missing social events and other optional events in favor of religious celebrations is one’s choice, but when it comes into conflict with something mandatory, students should not have to make that decision. If Universities value diversity, freedom of religion, and all students’ full participation in their University experience, they should do whatever they can to alleviate or solve such conflicts. Additionally, if universities want to prove themselves as attractive destination for talented observant students, they need to show themselves willing to accommodate them.

 

Many universities (public & private, e.g. Michigan, UMass, Berkeley, Penn, Cornell) and even some states (e.g. NY, MA) have official policies and specific procedures in place to work around or through conflicts. This usually entails not penalizing students for religiously-mandated absences - and either alternative or rescheduled opportunities to make up the work. Students often have to bring scheduling conflicts to the professor in the first few days of class (or when informed of exam dates), and work out a reasonable plan with them. They also sometimes have to bring a letter (usually from a rabbi or chaplain; Hillel or Chabad staff can usually write one) to prove that they are observant and/or that attending class or exams would not be possible for religious reasons. Professors might also ask for an official list of Holidays - specifically those on which work is forbidden - which can be found in some of the above links.

 

If professors are uncooperative or antagonistic, students should think about contacting the Department Chair, Dean of the School, Ombudsperson, or Provost, in consultation with a rabbi, chaplain, or religious staff member. Or contact us and we can try and help you work through this. Pulling the ‘religious discrimination’ card is not a simple move and you want to make sure to protect yourself and make productive decisions.

 

Accessibility of dorms on Shabbat

There are 2 major issues that arise: eruv to allow carrying, and non-electronic access to dorms/buildings.

• Eruv:

  • Building an eruv is a lengthy and complicated process, that includes the university but also relates and extends to the local city and entire Jewish community. It usually takes a few years, $20k+, knowledgeable rabbis, and a host of dedicated volunteers.

  • It is especially important for attracting young couples with children (which includes many grad students) and long term community growth, and for allowing and promoting students to have communal and community-friendly potluck meals and picnics.

• Non-electronic access is not just a perk to attract more students, but is actually a necessity. This includes:

  • Manual keys for dorm rooms - either assigning those rooms to students who need them, or installing manual locks on some dorm rooms

  • Non-electronic doors to buildings - some universities have guarded entranceways, and thus set up a Sabbath Security List to allow Shabbat-observant students to sign up and gain access. An alternative, although not ideal, is waiting for someone else to come through.