NAM ior io

Should Religious Holidays Be Celebrated In the Public Schools?

New Members
Are Honored

The Membership Committee of
Congregation B'nai Moshe will
host new and old members at an
Oneg Shabbat honoring new
members Dec. 9. The Kabbalat
Shabbat service will commence
at 7:30 p.m. followed by a kid-
dush.
New members to B'nai Moshe
will be honored by participating
in the Kabbalat Shabbat or Shab-
bat morning services. For infor-
mation, call the synagogue office,
788-0600.

B'nai Moshe
Chanukah Party

The sisterhood and LIFE (Learn-
ing Is a Family Experience) pro-
gram of Congregation B'nai
Moshe will host a Chanukah par-
ty at the synagogue Nov. 30 from
6 to 8 p.m. Families will partici-
pate in Chanukah art activities
as well as a musical presentati-
no. Everyone is invited.
There is a charge. Bring a non-
perishable kosher food item to
give to Yad Ezra. Call the office
for information, 788-0600.

Meals Talk
At Kiddush

The Cultural Copmmission of
Congregation Beth Achim will
host a Sit-Down Kiddush Nov. 26
following Shabbat services.
The guest speaker will be Gail
Budin, coordinator of volunteers
for Meals on Wheels. Her topic
will be "Meals on Wheels: A
Menus For Success."
There is no charge.

Chanukah Event
For Families

Adat Shalom Synagogue has
planned a Family Chanukah
Happening from 6:15 p.m. to 8
p.m. Nov. 30 at the synagogue.
A light dinner with latkes will
be available for purchase. Magi-
cian Jim Carmody will present a
"Menorah Magic" show. The
evening is open to the communi-
ty. Entertainment is free for all
those who pre-register by Nov.
28. There will be a fee for those
who do not pre-register.
The event is being arranged by
the Synagogue's Jewish Family
Living Institute in conjunctino
with the Adat Shalom JEFF
Committee and the Religious
School PTO.
To respond or receive infor-
mation, call the synagogue, 851-
5100.

As our society becomes increasingly more
diverse, cultural sensitivity and Constitutional
church/state separation are moving to the
forefront of issues confronting public school
officials.

This informational announcement has been
produced by The Jewish Community Council,
the central representative body of some 250
Jewish organizations, congregations and
institutions in the metropolitan Detroit area, in
order to answer some questions commonly
asked at this time of year.

Should Children Sing Christmas Carols in
School?

The U.S. Constitution mandates separation of
church and state. Christmas carols, however
innocuous they may sound,
are representations of
religious beliefs. The proper
place for the observance of
religious holidays, including
the singing of religious music,
is in a house of worship or in
the home.

What IS Appropriate?

1. Education about the
principles of religious
freedom and religious
liberty

Should Children Participate in Christmas
Plays in the Public Schools?

Christmas plays generally portray Christian
church themes, which have NO place in the
public schools. A "winter festival" preserves
the holiday atmosphere, but avoids religious
connotations, making it an appropriate
seasonal event for the public schools.

Does Religious Celebration Belong in the
Public Schools?

NO! The Constitutional separation of church
and state has been reinforced in a long line
of Supreme Court decisions. Further, the
beliefs of the majority are likely to be
advanced at the expense of
the minority whenever
religious holidays are
observed in public schools.
To maintain church-state
separation, NO religious
holiday should be
celebrated in this setting.

What IS NOT
Appropriate?

1. Organized school-
sponsored prayer

2. Distribution of Bibles

2. Intercultural programs which focus on the
role religion has played in the development
of society

3. Public display or presentation of
religious symbols by school authorities

3. Factual and objective teaching about
religion

4. Presentation of religious plays and films in
a religious context

4. Religious symbols used by individual students
as a mode of self-expression

5. Religious programs during the school day

5. The study of religious music as part of a music
appreciation course or study of various lands
and cultures

6. Penalizing students for an absence due
to a religious holiday

7. Singing of Christmas carols or Chanukah
songs

6. Recognition of a student's absence due to
a religious holiday as an excused absence

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If you have questions, call the Jewish Community Council. We believe that
religious liberty, free from government promotion, is an indispensable aspect
of American democracy. Our telephone number is (810) 642-5393.

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