A statement by New York School Superintendent Bernard E. Donovan that closing of the city’s schools on Jewish high holy days would make it necessary to lengthen the school year was protested today by the Jewish Teachers Association, which has 17,000 members.
Martin Dodell, president of the teachers group, told the Superintendent that the regulation closing the schools on those holidays was passed not for religious reasons but “because the safety of the children was involved.”
He wrote also that while the teachers “do not, and cannot, as a matter of policy, approve or disapprove” any lengthening of the school year, “we do protest most vigorously the explanation you gave.” He added that the schools were closed on the Jewish holidays because many were understaffed.
Mr. Dodell concluded his letter with an “urgent” request that any statement explaining a need to lengthen the school year should be changed “to eliminate any reference to our religious observance of the High Holy Days as the reason.”
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