ADL Offers School Districts Resources on Jewish Holiday Accommodations

  • August 19, 2014

As the school year begins, the ADL Pacific Southwest Region reached out to school districts and educators in Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties regarding Jewish High Holiday observances.  The letter served as a reminder about the dates of the 2014 High Holy Days and the expectation that some students and teachers would be out of school on those days.

The letter, from Regional Director Amanda Susskind, said in part, “We hope you will allow your students to be absent, without penalty on those days.  Additionally, we encourage you to make reasonable efforts to accommodate your employees who wish to observe the holidays.  We believe that school administrators can build an atmosphere of mutual respect by accommodating students and employees for their religious practices.”

To enhance mutual understanding and respect among the various religious, ethnic and cultural groups, ADL publishes the Calendar of Observances. This calendar covers many faiths, including a full list of the other Jewish holidays occurring during the school year. It can be helpful in increasing awareness and sensitivity about religious obligations as well as ethnic and cultural festivities.

ADL’s guide to School and Workplace Accommodation for the Jewish High Holidays is available on the ADL website. It contains responses to frequently asked questions on religious accommodation in various settings, including public schools, universities, and workplaces. ADL publishes useful guides specifically on issues related to Religion in the Public Schools.

ADL also offers diversity, anti-bias and anti-bullying trainings through its A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute.  These programs are designed to help administrators, educators and students address issues of prejudice and discrimination, and to foster respect for differences.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further guidance on any of these issues.