To the editor:

In elementary school, my two Jewish classmates and I never received the perfect attendance award. While our school closed for Christmas, Easter, and Good Friday, it remained open on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and all other religious holidays. We had to choose: academic recognition or religious observance. That is not equity.

Jewish High Holidays are not festive breaks — they are solemn days of prayer, reflection, and family. Yom Kippur, in particular, the holiest day of the year, is observed with a 25-hour fast. More than a decade ago, after appeals from families, the rabbi of Temple Habonim successfully urged Barrington Public Schools to close for these holidays. That decision marked an important step toward inclusion.

Students in our town face immense academic pressure. For years, Jewish families had to choose between religious integrity and academic success. No family in Rhode Island, founded on religious liberty, should face that choice. As society pauses for Christian holidays, it is only fair that our schools accommodate other major faiths as well.

This isn’t just about the Jewish holidays, but they are what I know. BPS should recognize major holidays observed by members of our community — including Muslim, Hindu, and others. The district already has a framework. Consult clergy or community leaders to identify which observances are most significant, whether school closures are warranted, or how best to reflect them in the calendar.

Diwali was mentioned during a recent school committee meeting. If our Hindu neighbors would benefit from school closures that day to appropriately practice their faith, we should close the schools. The standard should be consistent and inclusive — not limited by precedent or familiarity.

Opponents argue the school year is too long for such accommodations. No compelling case has been made for why it must be shortened; “ it used to be shorter,” is not a good reason. If that truly is the goal, there are other days to cut before eliminating religious inclusion.

If the school committee votes against additional closures, it must still take steps to reduce the harm to students and staff, including:

● No new material taught, or tests given.

● No academic or athletic competitions.

● No penalties – of any kind – for students absent due to observance.

● No requirement for staff to use personal or vacation time.

This is not about “recognizing” holidays. It’s about ensuring students and staff can fully participate in their religious lives without academic or professional sacrifice. And it is not an “all or none” situation, because school will never be closed for the major Christian holidays. They have been protected federally; although there is no actual requirement that schools close on federal holidays.

BPS leadership has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Protecting religious observances through thoughtful calendar planning is a concrete way to live those values.

Let’s continue — and expand — the inclusive practices that affirm all members of our community and allow for equitable religious observance and academic achievement.

Jacob Brier

Barrington

Jacob Brier is co-founder, Barrington Community Progress Association; vice chair, Barrington Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; member, Barrington Public Schools Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee; and member, Committee to Counter Antisemitism and Hate, Temple Habonim.