All New York City public schools will be closed for the first time this year for the entire eight-day Passover period in a school calendar change proposed by the Association of Orthodox Jewish Teachers to Dr. Seymour Lachman, vice-president of the Central Board of Education.
An aide to Dr. Lachman confirmed the calendar change and added that through Dr. Lachman’s efforts, the proposal was approved by the Board of Education and later at a public meeting. Philip Kipust, president of the teachers group, said the change will mean that some 250,000 Jewish children and teachers will be able to avoid problems which might make it difficult or impossible to avoid eating leavened foods, which are forbidden during the Passover period. Kipust noted that Christian pupils and teachers will at the same time be able to observe the Easter holidays.
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