21 October 2024 - 19 Tishrei 5785

A general tip for students who are sending those dreaded Religious Absence Emails to your professors: Rather than asking permission to take the day(s) off, politely let them know that you will be taking the day(s) off.

In other words, consider not saying this:

"May I miss class on [date] so I can observe [holiday]?"

It's not that there's anything wrong with the above, per se. But because it's phrased as a request, it risks coming across as optional — a favor you hope to be granted. Problem is, favors are not owed, and so unfortunately asking permission opens the door for the professor to respond "Thanks for asking. No, you may not. :)"

Instead, try something along the lines of:

"I will need to miss class on [date] because I will be observing [holiday]. I wanted to let you know of this conflict now, and to ask your assistance in making arrangements for making up whatever material I may miss as a result of this absence."

This is pretty formal language (naturally, you can and should tweak it to sound more like your voice). But the important piece is that, while still being respectful, it shifts the focus of the discussion so that the question becomes not "Is it okay for me to observe my religion?", but rather, "How can we best accommodate my observance?"

Because the first question should not be up for debate: freedom of religion is a right, not a favor. And the second question is the subject you need to discuss.

(Ideally, do this after you've looked up your school's policy on religious absences, so you know what you're working within and that religious discrimination is illegal. Just in case your professor forgot.)

disgruntled-detectives

Also you do not have to be religious in order to take these days off. You do not have to spend all day at synagogue on Yom Kippur or fast in order to be "justified" in taking the day off. You can take the day off and observe any way you wish. Even if that means just being at home with your family. You do not have to go into detail when stating why you taking the day off. You just have to say that you're taking the day off to observe XYZ holiday.

aph-japan reblogged

koushirouizumi

ma3ayan

me on rosh hashanah: this is the best jewish holiday

me on yom kippur: this is the best jewish holiday

me during sukkot: this is the best jewish holiday

me during hanukkah: this is the best jewish holiday

me on purim: this is the best jewish holiday

me on the first night of pesach: this is the best jewish holiday

me during the rest of pesach: WHY DID HASHEM PLAY ME LIKE THIS

me on shavuot: this is the best jewish holiday