10:48 again. Just want to point out that I'm not the person who initially inquired about "avoiding leather sand marital relations." I only had the part regarding seeing social media posts from friends/neighbors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if all the Jewish staff fasted for 24 hours, avoided leather sand marital relations, and spent the day in prayer……. That’s what is supposed to happen on Yom Kipper.

I’m going to guess yes. This is one of our holiest days of the year.

I'm going to guess no, based on the many posts on social media I see from my Jewish friends and neighbors on YK.

Pretty sure I see plenty of posts on Christmas and Easter. I’m not sure a post means someone did not celebrate.

Hi, I'm the person you quoted/responded to. I didn't express myself very well, so I'll give a bit of background.

More than 20 years ago, I was in a relationship with a Jewish man. I learned a lot about the religion, including what the New Year is and the Day of Atonement. He told me YK is *THE* Holiest day of the year, not "one of the." He celebrated RH, but observed YK. (Basically, there isn't anything to "celebrate" on YK.)

He also taught me that on YK, basically, a person goes to Temple, sits, prays, asks forgiveness, and fasts. At sundown, break fast with family or friends. There is nothing else to do. He was raised as a Conservative Jew, not Reform.

This was way before smart devices and social media. So maybe things have changed/evolved. However, it just seems that posting things like "Have an easy fast!!" doesn't feel much like the activities he described.

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if all the Jewish staff fasted for 24 hours, avoided leather sand marital relations, and spent the day in prayer……. That’s what is supposed to happen on Yom Kipper.

(1) I'm sure some did. It's the holiest day of the Jewish year.

(2) Even if they didn't, SO WHAT? Don't minimize the significance of this day based on how an individual chooses to observe it. Does the non-Christian community minimize the significance of Christmas, even if those who celebrate do not spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in church, but choose instead to spend time with family outside of church? Don't caste judgment on how someone celebrates a holiday. That reeks of anti-Semitism, and I am *not* quick to jump to that accusation. Some Jewish people will fast. Others don't. Some spend two hours in synagogue, some spend Kol Nidre and all day on Yom Kippur there, some take the time to reflect privately or in nature. The point is, it's their choice on how to observe the holiest day of the year.

(3) I'm sure it's a burden to figure out childcare for these two days. I feel the same about Easter Monday, which, as a federal government employee, I am expected to work, along with all other non-government holidays that the kids are out of school. But, having children isn't about convenience. I either take vacation days, find a sitter, or put my kids in the after-care program at school to cover Easter Monday or the intermittent professional days at the end of each grading period and sprinkled throughout the year.

Anonymous wrote:I wish they’d stop closing for Christmas. I’d rather have two weeks in January or early February. Give everyone the 25th as the federal holiday but move to a true winter/ midwinter break. It’s cheaper to travel then and those who work seasonal/ hourly jobs will have more flexibility.

It would be really nice to have a week or two off when other people don’t, but too many people travel for Christmas for the school system to be closed only one day. Staffing would still be an issue and attendance would be abysmal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The number of teachers and subs who observe the Jewish holidays make it impossible to staff schools on those days. And then there are the number of Jewish students, who absolutely deserve days off for these holy days!

A few years back, there was a movement to make these school days. I'm Catholic and it really made me angry. Why the heck is Easter Monday a state holiday when Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur could be school days?? It didn't make any sense. I'm very happy to have the system close so these families can observe their holy days.

+1

These days have always been observed in Montgomery county, even when I was in school. I am happy that we are observing them for our Jewish friends, colleagues and students.
I am also happy that we respect and observe other religious holidays too. You can’t have it for one group and not have it for another group.

I'm Jewish and I do appreciate these remarks. But MCPS is not "observing" the Jewish holidays, or any other religious holidays, nor should they be. They are making a logistical decision, about the ability to staff the system and about the number of expected student absences.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if all the Jewish staff fasted for 24 hours, avoided leather sand marital relations, and spent the day in prayer……. That’s what is supposed to happen on Yom Kipper.

Yes, that is what my family did.

I don’t understand what about this is so triggering. I appreciate those like the PP above who are supportive. You can’t understand what it’s like to be a non-Christian in this country - Christianity is pervasive in our popular culture and non-Christians are reminded over and over that they are “other.” It’s a nice breather for my kids to not have to stand out for being absent these days.

+ 1. It’s also not a surprise. People have had plenty of time to line up child care. If the issue is you think it detracts from learning, as another PP said, there’s the same number of instructional days in the year. So it really shouldnt be a big deal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if all the Jewish staff fasted for 24 hours, avoided leather sand marital relations, and spent the day in prayer……. That’s what is supposed to happen on Yom Kipper.

What are leather sand marital relations?

Sounds kinky.

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if all the Jewish staff fasted for 24 hours, avoided leather sand marital relations, and spent the day in prayer……. That’s what is supposed to happen on Yom Kipper.

Yes, that is what my family did.

I don’t understand what about this is so triggering. I appreciate those like the PP above who are supportive. You can’t understand what it’s like to be a non-Christian in this country - Christianity is pervasive in our popular culture and non-Christians are reminded over and over that they are “other.” It’s a nice breather for my kids to not have to stand out for being absent these days.

Anonymous wrote:The number of teachers and subs who observe the Jewish holidays make it impossible to staff schools on those days. And then there are the number of Jewish students, who absolutely deserve days off for these holy days!

A few years back, there was a movement to make these school days. I'm Catholic and it really made me angry. Why the heck is Easter Monday a state holiday when Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur could be school days?? It didn't make any sense. I'm very happy to have the system close so these families can observe their holy days.

+1

These days have always been observed in Montgomery county, even when I was in school. I am happy that we are observing them for our Jewish friends, colleagues and students.
I am also happy that we respect and observe other religious holidays too. You can’t have it for one group and not have it for another group.

The number of teachers and subs who observe the Jewish holidays make it impossible to staff schools on those days. And then there are the number of Jewish students, who absolutely deserve days off for these holy days!

A few years back, there was a movement to make these school days. I'm Catholic and it really made me angry. Why the heck is Easter Monday a state holiday when Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur could be school days?? It didn't make any sense. I'm very happy to have the system close so these families can observe their holy days.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if all the Jewish staff fasted for 24 hours, avoided leather sand marital relations, and spent the day in prayer……. That’s what is supposed to happen on Yom Kipper.

I’m going to guess yes. This is one of our holiest days of the year.

I'm going to guess no, based on the many posts on social media I see from my Jewish friends and neighbors on YK.

Pretty sure I see plenty of posts on Christmas and Easter. I’m not sure a post means someone did not celebrate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought schools were supposed to be separate from religion.

Well given they give off for Christmas & Easter where is exactly is that line?

You can not be this dumb?

Easter is on a Sunday.

Easter monday and good friday are mandated off by state law; PP is just referring to them collectively as Easter

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if all the Jewish staff fasted for 24 hours, avoided leather sand marital relations, and spent the day in prayer……. That’s what is supposed to happen on Yom Kipper.

I’m going to guess yes. This is one of our holiest days of the year.

I'm going to guess no, based on the many posts on social media I see from my Jewish friends and neighbors on YK.

Anonymous wrote:I wish they’d stop closing for Christmas. I’d rather have two weeks in January or early February. Give everyone the 25th as the federal holiday but move to a true winter/ midwinter break. It’s cheaper to travel then and those who work seasonal/ hourly jobs will have more flexibility.

If the dates were moved travel discounts would be adjusted and it would no longer be cheaper.

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if all the Jewish staff fasted for 24 hours, avoided leather sand marital relations, and spent the day in prayer……. That’s what is supposed to happen on Yom Kipper.

What are leather sand marital relations?