Orthodox Teachers Seek Early Closing of Public Schools on Fridays

A resolution calling on the New York City Board of Education to close all public schools at 3 p.m. on Fridays during November, December and January so as not to conflict with the onset of the Jewish Sabbath was adopted here at a general meeting of the Association of Orthodox Jewish Teachers of the New York Public School System.

Asserting that requiring Friday evening attendance in New York City high schools for Jewish students and teachers was “an affront to the very large Jewish community,” Max Zakon, president of the teachers group, declared at the meeting that problems of religious observance had driven many public school students to enroll in parochial and other private schools. He said the resolution would affect only high schools, and that any time lost could be made up on other days.