2 Philadelphia Universities to Avoid Conflicts Between Registration, Rosh Hashonah

The University of Pennsylvania as well as Temple University will see to it that Jewish students are not required to register or to attend classes on the High Holidays, according to assurances received by Rabbi Mortimer J. Cohen. According to the original schedule of both of these institutions of learning a number of functions were scheduled to take place on Rosh Hashonah. When the matter was brought to the attention of Rabbi Cohen he immediately communicated with the authorities of both institutions. In a letter to Rabbi Cohen Vice-Provost George Wm. McClelland of the University of Pennsylvania, wrote:

“We are, of course, sympathetic with the attitude that a man should have definite religious principles and abide by them to the best of his ability. On the other hand it is very difficult in an institution of this size to make special arrangements for a considerable group whose days of religious observance do not coincide with those of the majority of our students. The best we can do is to permit orthodox Jewish students to be absent on their holidays but hold them responsible for what they miss because of absence.

“In this particular case we will excuse them from attendance at the meeting on Wednesday, September 24th which is arranged for the guidance of new students. If they are also scheduled to register on Tuesday or Wednesday, we will permit them to do so on Monday or Thursday at times that may be convenient for the registration offices. I hope that this arrangement will prove satisfactory.”

Similarly, Dr. E. H. Homan, Registrar of Temple University, wrote: “The dates which have been set aside for registration are September 22 and 23. The 24th is the opening date of the Fall Session. We believe that students of the Jewish faith will have ample opportunity for registration on September 22.

“Of course these dates are for the registration of upper classmen. Freshmen will register beginning September 18 to 20 inclusive. There will be no conflict with the Jewish Holidays in that case.”