It is that time of year again. It is the time of year when Jews all over the world are preparing themselves for some of the holiest days of the year. The holy days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are upon us.

This is when Jews believe they can be forgiven for sins and be inscribed in the Book of Life for another year. Unfortunately, I have a very difficult decision to make—I have to decide which is more important, my classes or my religious observances.

The services for the holidays occur during the day when I have all my classes. Many teachers are very understanding about making some sort of provision for students in the event of a religious holiday, but some classes, especially large lecture classes, are not structured to allow such absenses.

One of my classes is impossible to make up due to the fact that movies are shown and cannot be viewed at other times. Many people I know are in the same predicament.

There is no reason why anyone should be forced to choose between their religion and academics. The university should have some clear policy for people who need to attend services for the holidays, no matter what religion they observe.

I am not familiar with holidays other than the Judeo-Christian, but I am sure people of other faiths have run into the same problems. I have talked to my teachers, and some of them say that classes cannot be made up regardless. To me this is discriminatory.

So why should Jews, or people of any other religious denomination, be expected to attend classes on what are considered the holiest days of the year?

I have no idea how the university could implement such a policy, but by not allowing people their religious observances they are blatantly ignoring the rights and well-being of students by placing them in a no-win situation.

I am not asking for free days. What I am asking for is that the university adopt some sort of compensatory policy where people with religious beliefs can work out an alternate plan for meeting the requirements that they missed due to services or observances, and not be penalized for what they believe.

I will be attending services regardless of the fact that I may be jeopardizing my grades. My religion is that important to me, but I think it is extremely unfair to be put in a situation where I have to make a choice. No one should have to.

Laura Reizner

Sophomore

Political Science