Page 14 - Jewish News_December 2021

14A December 2021 FEDERATION NEWS

December Dilemma: Holiday issues in public schools

By David J. Millstone
ach month, CRConnect pro- 1. Teaching about religious holidays Christmas – a religious holiday cele- open Christmas presents, but it is un-
vides information to help you must advance a genuine secular brated in January by many Christians likely that a play about the birth of Je-
Eunderstand difficult questions program of education in the Orthodox Churches, such as the sus would pass Constitutional muster.
we all face concerning Israel and an- 2. The approach must be objective Greek Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox and May students be excused from class-
tisemitism. This month we want to do and neither promote nor denigrate Russian Orthodox. es teaching about religious holidays?
something a little different and talk religion, nor promote one religion May public schools use holiday dec- Where the religious beliefs of students
about the issues facing families with over another orations? or parents conflict with the classroom
children in public schools during the 3. The focus should be on the origin, A public school may not: activity, students may be excused. It
month of December. What activities history and generally agreed-upon ‹ Have holiday decorations that have should be done in a manner that does
are public schools permitted to do meaning of observances religious objects, such as a crèche not stigmatize the student. The student
during the Christmas season? The is- 4. It may not serve as an observance ‹ Use non-religious decorations may not be penalized for non-partici-
sues include questions concerning: or celebration of the holiday combined with religious decora- pation.
teaching about holidays; holiday music Teaching about different religious tions. The combination of secular Summary
and themes included in school assem- holidays can foster understanding and decorations with religious decora- Public schools may teach about re-
blies, activities, musical performances mutual respect within and beyond the tions does not correct the prohibit- ligion and religious holidays when
and plays; and displaying holiday dec- Robert and Esther Heller ed use of religious decorations. For it meets secular educational goals. It
orations in the school. This month, we example, mixing a reindeer and a may not promote or denigrate religion
onnect
onnect
hope to educate you on these issues CRC crèche would be impermissible. or support one religion over another.
and provide a guide that can be used A public school may: Public schools may not celebrate or
for discussion with school officials if ‹ Temporarily display student art observe religious holidays.
concerns arise. local community. When teaching about that contains religious objects in As a parent, you can encourage
The legal context religious holidays, care should be tak- the hallway outside a classroom your children’s teachers to be inclu-
The First Amendment of the United en to ensure all students feel comfort- when students have voluntarily sive of other religious holidays if
States Constitution protects the free ex- able and accepted in their school, and created such art they are teaching about Christmas
ercise of religion and prohibits govern- should focus on more than one religion ‹ Place non-religious, seasonal dis- or holding programs that include re-
mental establishment of religion. The or religious holiday. plays. The U.S. Supreme Court ligious themes as a portion of them.
Courts recognize public schools may For example, if teaching about has found a Christmas tree to be You can provide them with informa-
neither promote nor inhibit religion. Christmas, there are other winter hol- representative of the winter sea- tion from resources like the Anti-Def-
The Florida Constitution provides the idays that can be brought into the son and, therefore, secular. While amation League (adl.org/education/
same protection but goes one step fur- discussion: Kwanzaa – a cultural and a Chanukah menorah is considered resources/tools-and-strategies/religion
ther by prohibiting financial aid to reli- ethnic holiday celebrated by some religious, it is likely that a dreidel -in-public-schools), the Freedom Fo-
gion or religious institutions. With this African Americans; Chanukah – a re- would be considered secular. rum Institute (freedomforuminstitute.
legal context in mind, how does that ligious holiday celebrated by Jews; Ro- It is appropriate to use religious org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/
interplay with religion and holidays in hatsu – a Buddhist holiday celebrating symbols as a teaching aid when dis- FCGcomplete.pdf) and the Baptist
the public schools? Buddha’s vow to sit under the Bodhi played as examples of cultural and Joint Committee for Religious Liberty
May a public school teach about reli- tree until he reached spiritual enlight- religious heritage of a holiday. Such (bjconline.org/religion-public-schools
gious holidays? enment; Mawlid al-Nabi – a celebra- displays must be temporary and may -resources).
Yes, but subject to certain require- tion of the birthday of Muhammed, not be used to celebrate the holiday. If If you find teachers to be non-re-
ments: celebrated by Muslims; and Orthodox religion is used for educational purpos- sponsive, you can talk with the build-
Make It and cultures. No student should be put ta School’s Equity Coordinator, Al
ing principal, and if the issue is not
es, schools should strive to be inclusive
resolved, you can contact Saraso-
and representative of various religions
in the position of feeling isolated or
Harayda, at 941.927.9000 x31217, or
marginalized.
Manatee School’s Coordinator of Di-
May religious music or drama be
versity at 941.708.8770 x2052. If you
used as part of school assemblies or
when you contact the school district,
school events?
Religious music or drama is permitted are uncomfortable or unsuccessful
you can contact me at djm61246@
in school assemblies, concerts or pro- gmail.com or 216.469.4895.
grams if it is primarily secular, objec- For a more complete discussion
tive and educational. Music programs of religion in the public schools, visit
may not focus on one religion or re- the Federation website at jfedsrq.org/
ligious observance. Music programs crconnect.
may include music that is related to Any opinions expressed in this article
both Christmas and Chanukah, but re- are those of the author and not nec-
ligious music should not dominate the essarily those of The Jewish News or
program. A theater performance may The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-
include such things as having a family Manatee.

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