Houston Paper Calls for ‘confrontation’ with School Authorities over ‘insensitivity’

The Jewish Herald-Voice has called on the Jewish community of Houston to confront school authorities over “insensitivity” on their part to the religious feelings of the Jewish community and Jewish students. The paper, in its current issue, editorially took exception to the scheduling of graduation exercises on a Friday evening. It pointed out that “school would conflict with the religious observances of some of the student.” It noted that “when this was called to their attention in November, or perhaps October, the changes could have been made. But an insensitive school system has little use for the decencies which make up our democratic process.” The editorial, citing previous instances in which the religious beliefs of Jewish students were ignored by school authorities, asked: “Are we to continue to countenance this insensitivity to the detriment of our religious beliefs? Should there not be a confrontation in this regard which would clear up the atmosphere and anticipate the differences which might arise without resorting to last minute appeals?” David H. White, editor and publisher of the Jewish Herald-Voice, is a former president of the Houston Jewish Community Council.