Quote:
Originally Posted by mikester
I'm predicting two things:
1) I'll regret this
2) It'll end up in PARF
I noticed a thread from our resident 'lubricant specialist' and it got to me. Now, I think it is a wonderful post from our friend and I have no argument about it. Clearly he's a fine father raising a fine son. I hope that I am as successful with my boys as he is with his but still one word got to me.
Excellence all around and the only 'beef' I have is that it is the 'Christian' thing to do. Isn't it the 'human' thing to do? I mean if that's the 'Christian' thing to do what's the Jewish thing to do? My kids aren't Christian and I would like to think that they would do the right thing as well. That is what I teach them; they are Scouts (well, the older one is - the younger tags along and isn't quite old enough yet) as well - just not Christian.
I know I know, I'm being a d[i]ck and I don't mean to be but being in a largely Christian society has its pitfalls and this is one of them. I'm taking some frustration out on Lubie partly because I know he can take it and partly because generally speaking I just have to bottle it up and throw away the bottle opener. My oldest started school last year and both years when the school board was working on their yearly schedule the small group of Jews in the community went to the board meeting to try to get the children days off for the high holy days. A very important time of the year for folks like us and both times we have been denied our request. The schedule would not take into account our meager request of a two days off for this year. I think it was 1 last year. The problem last year was that it was the FIRST day of school all we wanted was for them to push a day - not a big deal. They even said it wasn't a big deal but in the end they wouldn't do it and wouldn't explain why. This year instead of giving us our couple of days they decided the kids should have Halloween and Valentine's day off. YAY!
Now why can't my kid just take the day off for these religious holidays? Well they can (And did) but then the district loses money because the kids are absent and they ask the parents to reimburse the school for that lost money. $35 a day...
I tell them 'oh, it's a reasonable request but I can't do it and I can't tell you why.'
Lubie, please forgive me I did not mean to single you out and I know you meant no harm with your wording - it just got to me. I'm not asking you to be 'PC' for the sake of us non-Christians I'm just using as a point to vent a little frustration.
I know PLENTY of Christians who are considerate - I grew up in a scout troop myself that was mixed Jews and Christians - we all got a long fine and every year we sold Christmas trees (which our current organization does too). It just seems that none of these considerate and thoughtful folks are on the school board...
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I understand your frustration. My kids are Jewish. The girl is particularly militant about it. Primarily because she took some heat from some of the neighbor kids when we first moved here which was a big mistake on their part.
I don't see how your school system could legally charge or even request you to pay for the kids being out for religious observance. If the school officially closes or allows absences for even one Christian high day I'd say you have grounds for a very nice discrimination suit.
When we take the kids to service that conflicts with school we just send them in with a note explaining the absence was due to religious observance. We never hear a peep from anyone.