As Jewish communities across New York prepared for Passover, a major clash erupted between the city’s Department of Education and its Jewish educators. This year, the start of Passover fell on Saturday, April 12—coinciding with the Sabbath, making the day prior, Friday, April 11, critical for travel, preparation, and ritual observance. Yet Jewish school staff hoping to take that Friday off for religious reasons found their requests denied.
An internal memo circulated to school leaders earlier in the week acknowledged that employees might need time off but offered limited accommodations. Staff were told to “consider/discuss an alternate schedule,” take a personal or vacation day, or potentially work remotely. One suggestion even included shifting a lunch break to the end of the workday to leave early.
The decision sparked immediate backlash from educators and advocacy groups who felt their religious obligations were being sidelined. While the Department of Education insisted that it supports staff of all faiths and maintained that the offered alternatives were fair, many in the Jewish community strongly disagreed.
“There may be employees who require additional time off on April 11 to prepare, or travel, for religious observance,” the DOE memo stated, but it stopped short of officially recognizing the day as a religious observance day.
City Hall and schools chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos were urged throughout the week to reconsider, but sources confirmed that officials ultimately determined Friday was not a religious holiday, and thus would not be granted special observance status.
A DOE spokesperson reiterated their stance: “While Passover starts on Saturday this year, any staff member who needed time off on the day before could request that their schedule be rearranged to leave early Friday without loss of pay, or to take a paid personal business day or annual leave day.”
Mayor Eric Adams’ office added that the mayor remains committed to an inclusive work environment for all religious groups, but stopped short of overriding the DOE’s directive.
However, Jewish educators and advocacy leaders argue the decision undermines their religious freedom.
“We’re obviously disappointed with their decision and the Jewish staff impacted don’t agree that the accommodations were enough to fulfill their religious obligations of the day,” said Moshe Spern, president of the United Jewish Teachers group.
Tova Plaut, a teacher and co-founder of the New York City Public Schools Alliance, expressed deeper frustration, stating, “The DOE has taken it upon itself to override centuries of Jewish law — deciding it knows better than rabbis when and how Jews should observe Passover. This decision erases core Jewish values and disregards the voices of those who live by them.”
Such disputes are not new. Historically, scheduling conflicts have arisen when Passover and Christian holidays like Good Friday do not align with the public school system’s spring break, which this year begins on Monday.
As debates over religious accommodation in public institutions continue, Jewish educators and their allies say the city must take a more respectful and nuanced approach—especially when it comes to deeply held spiritual traditions and practices that span generations.
Source: nypost
