A protest against the University of Massachusetts scheduling of the opening of its next semester on Rosh Hashana was filed today by Laurence S. Locke, president of the New England region of the American Jewish Congress.
In a letter to Dr. John W. Lederle, president of the university, Mr. Locke took note of the fact that the next semester is scheduled to open officially on September 15, which is the first day of Rosh Hashana. Expressing regret that the university had not checked the calendar to avoid the conflict, Mr. Locke stated that many of the students will want to spend the Jewish New Year at home, and declared:
“The University should not confront its Jewish students with the intolerable dilemma of observing our holy day or reporting for the semester. If the university cannot now change its calendar, we urge that a special schedule be arranged for Jewish students who cannot appear in time.” The Congress president requested also that Jewish students should not be penalized if they arrive late, due to Rosh Hashana, and asked that students, parents and the community be notified about what steps the university intends to take to rectify the situation.
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