World Time Not Standing Still Observant Jews resist a change of the clock that would alter the hour of prayer. SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN StaffWriter A all 9/22 2005 40 rea rabbis are speaking out about the ramifications of a proposal that would bring a four-week-long extension to daylight savings time, affecting times of daily prayer and the end of Shabbat. On July 21, Congress approved an amendment to the Energy Policy Act that will extend daylight savings time by three weeks in March and one in November, beginning in the spring of 2007. The amendment, introduced by Reps. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Fred Upton (R-Mich.) in April, originally called for a two-month extension, but was scaled back due to heavy opposition. "The beauty of daylight savings time is that it just makes everyone feel sunnier," Markey said in explain- ing his support for the measure. "In addition to the benefits of energy saving, less crime, fewer traffic fatali- ties, more recreation time and increased economic activity, day light saving just brings a smile to every- body's faces." Jewish groups aren't smiling. Both the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the Orthodox Union's Institute for Public Affairs have spoken out in opposition to the proposal. Posted on the USCJ Web site is a letter from public policy director, Mark Waldman, stating: "The pro- posed change in daylight savings time would result in a later sunrise that will produce an undue hardship on religious Jews." His letter went on to explain how the 30-40 minute daily morning service cannot begin until after sunrise, which if it occurs an hour later than usual, will make it dif- ficult to complete in time for many to get to the workplace by 9 a.m. The OU has asked its members to oppose the plan through letters to sen- ators and members of Congress. between our faith and our livelihood." "Detroit really doesn't even belong in the Eastern time zone anyway, so everything, by definition, is already late," said Rabbi Reuven Spolter of Young Israel of Oak Park. "It would just add insult to injury to add another hour." Some will still be able to complete the service in time to get to work if they eliminate the travel time necessary to get to the synagogue. But that would prevent them from participating in a communal service, where their presence may be necessary during prayers — like the Kaddish which require a minyan (quorum of 10 wor- shippers) to be recited. In addition to the concerns at the start of the day are those at the end. "We in Michigan, being close to the western end of the time zone, are used — Rabbi Dobrusin Rabbi Pachter Rabbi Berkun to late-starting seders and Shabbatot ending very late," said Rabbi Robert Dobrusin of Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor. "It is already difficult for those who wish to celebrate simchahs after Shabbat ends to wait. Now, there will be four additional weeks to con- front these problems." Rabbi Elliot Pachter of Congregation B'nai Moshe agrees that planning a Saturday. night event "will be more dif- ficult if these months change to day- light time." And he isn't even happy with the way daylight savings time is now "I'm annoyed when leaving for shul at 6:45 a.m. to find that it's still dark outside," Rabbi Pachter said. "Personally, I've never liked daylight time. [It] results in a lot of dark morn- ings and far too late sundowns." But Rabbi Jonathan Berkun doesn't see the proposal as causing a major concern for party-goers. "If our members are planning to cel- ebrate a simchah on Saturday night, we encourage them to respect Shabbat [and observe the dietary laws]," said the Congregation Shaarey Zedek rabbi. "The proposed extension of daylight savings time would mean that for four additional weeks, these tradi- tional celebrations could not begin until much later in the evening. If Shabbat is impor- tant to us and the traditional rhythm of Jewish life is mean- ingful to us, then I do not think four more lengthened Shabbat afternoons will have a major impact on our commu- nity." Other Concerns In addition to the prayer and Shabbat-time ramifications of the proposal, both the OU and the USCJ statements express apprehension for the safety of school children in the extra hour of morning dark- ness. "It is something we notice already when our kids are leav- ing for school and this will make it worse," Rabbi Dobrusin said. "The extension of daylight savings time will force chil- dren to walk to school in pitch black streets during the time of year when inclement weather is more likely," wrote Waldman in his USCJ letter. "The last time daylight savings time was extended, in the early 1970s, there were numerous reports of children being injured in the streets as they walked to school in the dark. It is not unreasonable to think that this will happen again." Markey's chief of staff, David Moulton, said the concerns voiced by Rabbi Abba Cohen, the director of Agudath Israel of America's Washington office, played a significant part in the congressmen's decision to slash one month from the originally proposed amendment. "Our primary concern had to do with the safety of children," Rabbi Cohen said. "The other issue, pertain- ing to prayer times, wasn't a prayer issue per se, but an employment issue," placing observant Jews in the uncom- fortable position of having to choose between their jobs and their religion. Even with the compromise solution, Rabbi Cohen added, "I can't say that it won't cause problems for some people. But it goes a long way towards alleviat- ing our concerns and we are gratified by the degree of concern and coopera- tion shown by Upton and Markey in addressing those concerns," he said. Others who have- opposed the bill include the United States Conference of Bishops, who joined parents' groups in their resistance because of the dan- gers it may pose to children. The Air Transport Association said that scheduling disruptions caused by the proposed changes could cost U.S. airlines $147 million annually and wreak havoc on American travelers. Citing various reasons, private utili- ties, groups representing such comput- ing giants as Oracle and Yahoo and dairy farmers also have opposed the amendment. The OU statement maintains the organization's support of "the goal of an energy independent America," but added, "This proposal is the wrong way to achieve it. Each of us will sup- port efforts to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, just not this one." Others, too, may not be pleased with the proposal, but have decided to make it workable. "If this plan can be proven to save energy and contribute to the general welfare of the country, I think that we, as a Jewish community, should support it and just deal with our issues ourselves," Rabbi Dobrusin said. "However, those making the poli- cy shouldn't assume that this is a sim- ple matter of changing a clock. It will affect many within the Jewish commu- The Jewish Telegraphic Agency contributed to this report.