Stephanie Peck
Each summer, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater submits a five-year, Jewish holiday calendar to area school districts, arts leaders, elected officials, and similar public and private institutions which may have a Jewish population among its demographics. The calendar is intended to avoid scheduling conflicts that may result from overlapping religious obligations and professional or academic commitments.
Barbara Dudley, JCRC chair, explains in her accompanying letter, “If conflicts in scheduling arise, we encourage you to make reasonable efforts to accommodate students and employees without penalty. School administrators can build mutual respect by accommodating students and employees for their religious practices.”
While Shabbat is not included in the calendar, there is a footnote explaining that some members of the Jewish community will not participate in events on Friday evenings and Saturdays. Hanukkah and Purim are also listed as celebrations that do not require an absence from school or work.
The five-year calendar is available online at JewishVA.org/JCRCHolidayCalendar.