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Sabbath-observing Woman Fights for Unemployment Compensation

March 27, 1959
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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An early decision was awaited today from the Review Board of the Massachusetts Unemployment Compensation Commission on appeal from a Jewish bookkeeper for unemployment compensation because she refused to take a job which would have required her to work on the Jewish Sabbath.

The appellant, a resident of suburban Newton, told the Review Board she had never worked on Saturdays or Jewish holidays. She appealed to the Review Board after the Commission had rejected her application for jobless pay. She was represented at the Review Board hearing by Edward J. Barshak, counsel for the American Jewish Congress, who agreed to represent her at the request of the Boston Jewish Community Council.

Mr. Bershak noted that the present state unemployment laws and regulations do not specifically cover the issue, but argued that the principle of the law should be interpreted in a manner not to prejudice the applicant.

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