Almost Half A Century Later, There's Still Much Needed Sensitivity

This evening marks the beginning of the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Most of us remember when a reformed Jew named Sandy Koufax decided that observing his Holy Day was more important than pitching the first game of the World Series. So many years have past, yet we still are confronted from time to time with evidence that there are still a few individuals that prefer to hate than to understand, and commit atrocities against certain Jews, as well as other minority groups. It has been common in recent years for many Jews to attempt to even further assimilate and many have abandoned even the observance of the holiest of Holy Days.

While no doubt there are still incidents of anti-Semitism, what we overtly witness to a far greater degree is a general insensitivity to those that practice the Jewish religion. Last year, the California Dental Association held its semi-annual meeting on Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year, and the second holiest day), and used as an excuse that there was no other day available. At that time, the American Dental Association pleaded with all dental societies to exhibit more sensitivity. Yet, despite this, ironically, the American Dental Association itself held an important one-time only webinar on Rosh Hashana. Even here in New York, with the largest Jewish population, the Fall Family Festival at the Planting Fields Arboretum is being held on Yom Kippur (since Planting Fields is a state historic park, it is not like some private organization did this). The Long Island Maritime Museum, which also receives a considerable amount of public funds, is holding its County Fest on Yom Kippur, as well. Imagine holding something like this, on public property or publicly support property on a major holiday of another religion? And, it is NOT as if this is a minor holiday- Yom Kippur is the holiest of holy days.

I do not personally believe that these actions were anti-Semistic, just insensitive. The dates of these holidays are published, and certainly New York's school systems are aware, so others must be as well. With so many victims of the atrocities of the Holocaust no longer around (mid 1930's-mid 1940's), all I'm asking is for a little sensitivity.