Thread by @JewWhoHasItAll

Dear Gveret O’Malley,

We received your letter of complaint about the timing of the Winter Graduation ceremony, set to be held on the second morning of Rosh Chodesh Tevet this First Day.

1/x

If we understand correctly from your letter, this date coincides with some kind of religious holiday for you, and you choose to prioritize this holiday over the celebration of your son Pattric’s scholarly accomplishments.

2/x

This date was the most convenient for everyone else; our preferred venue was not available on any other dates, and you are only family who is unable to attend due to the date. We have to consider the dates that are convenient for EVERYONE, as I’m sure you can understand.

3/x

In fact, our graduation ceremony is held on the First Day on or after Rosh Chodesh Tevet every year, and in the five years I have worked here, not once has this “holiday” come up as a conflict.

4/x

I’m sure you can appreciate that we can’t accommodate the observances of every religion on the planet, particularly when they move around the calendar and fall on different dates every year.

5/x

In addition, we are an #inclusive school and we love our #diverse population, so of course before making the final decision, we consulted with a Christianish member of our school board.

6/x

We were informed that this holiday of “Chrysmiss” has no prohibitions on melacha, and that few Christianish people even attend services on Chrysmiss morning…

7/x

… so we are confident that your son Patrich will be able to attend his graduation with his friends, and then celebrate his holiday afterwards.

8/x

Perhaps we will even include a few yellow & white sufganiyot at the reception, in recognition of your country’s colors!

9/x

Alternatively, if you feel strongly about preventing your Petrick from participating in events on the morning of your holiday, there are an abundance of other times that he can celebrate with his classmates.

10/x

For example, he may enjoy the class’s Havdallah & Chanukkah party the night before! There will be a havdallah ceremony followed by a menorah lighting, and as many bimuelos and latkes as your son can eat.

11/x

There will also be a community Zot Chanukah celebration on First Day Night, and I’m sure that many new graduates and their families will be attending as well.

12/x

All of the rest of the classmates will be observing Hanukkah at separate times from the graduation, so I’m not sure what it is about Chrysmiss that prevents Patrik from doing the same.

13/x

This is a special time for new graduates, and I’m sure you can find a way to arrange your schedule around your holidays to allow your Pinchas to spend these last special moments with his classmates, before they go their separate ways next semester.

14/x

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any additional concerns.

Ruti Levin

Har HaShalom #PublicSchools
#EduTwitter
#MedinatAmerica

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