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Editor's Letter

Should Pomp Trump Shabbat?

ommencement is the capstone of the higher educa-
the WSU petition. The Conservative rabbi sees clear differ-
tion experience. But it's not a requirement to graduate. ences between U-M and WSU. At Michigan, he finds "a very
Some students want no part of the pomp and cir-
small minority" of students who don't attend commencement
cumstance. A few boycott it because of politics — theirs or the
because it is held on Shabbat. He says the university works with
school's. Others stay away for religious reasons. With this last
observant families by assuring adequate hotel rooms within
group lies an emotional rub.
walking distance of the stadium and by providing staff to
Graduation day for many universities this year is Saturday.
carry commencement tickets from Will Call to the entrance. He
The University of Michigan handed out undergraduate degrees
maintains that there's nothing students must do at commence-
on Saturday, April 29. Wayne State University will do so on
ment that would directly violate Halachah.
Saturday, May 6. Notably, MSU will do
Beyond that, many observant students attend U-M football
the honors at 1 p.m. Friday, May 5.
games on Shabbat. Arguably, they've figured out a way to make
Saturday, of course, is Shabbat, which that mesh with Shabbat.
presents a dilemma for observant Jews.
Wayne State had been holding commencement on a
Attending graduation then violates the
Thursday night at Detroit's Cobo Center but construction there
Halachah, or Jewish law, they say. Not
forced a move outside. A Saturday was chosen; the day after was
so fast, say others; graduation can co-
the backup date. "WSU did arrange for some accommodations
exist with Shabbat if done with respect
near the football stadium and for kosher meals for religiously
for religious practices. Many schools
observant families',' said petition supporter Talya Drissman, 28,
with significant Jewish enrollment
of Oak Park, a WSU graduating law student. "However, these
strive to be accommodating.
families will still be unable to take pictures, carry cameras or
Its a complicated halachic question.
fully participate in the celebration of a family member's gradu-
In the wake of a student-circulated
ation from college."
petition with signatures from students and support-
Hillel of Metro Detroit would be stretched in try-
ers protesting Wayne State's commencement this
ing to do what U-M Hillel did last weekend: offer
Saturday — on an urban campus without a hotel
200-plus people a catered, sit-down Shabbat dinner
district — I began to wonder about the clarity of
followed by a Shabbat lunch.
what's at the core of the controversy. The petition
cites Saturday as a holy day for Jews and Seventh-day
Beyond Irony
Adventists.
Rabbi J's words grabbed me: "Graduation is sup-
Rabbi Avraham Jacobovitz of the Oak Park-
posed to be a time of celebration, of a great sense of
based Machon L'Torah/Jewish Learning Network of
Rabbi Jacobovitz accomplishment, for students and parents. It's very
Michigan spends much of his time working on uni-
unfortunate that in a free country, sensitive to reli-
versity campuses to ignite interest in Judaism among
gious and ethnic issues, there's insensitivity shown
Jewish students and to help inspire them to be proud
toward Jewish observance."
of their ethnicity. His hope is that these students
We're talking about public universities. But Jews are
will strengthen their Jewish ties and beliefs. He's
in the minority. So how closely must schools adhere to
Orthodox but never tries to force students beyond
Jewish tradition? Is Saturday commencement a public
a level of study, ritual or observance that they feel
embarrassment to the observant Jewish community
comfortable with.
like Rabbi J suggests? Or is it just a convenience for
He says flat out that a Saturday commencement
most students and their families?
violates Jewish law. For example, carrying a diploma
Jews who follow Halachah have most at stake. They
Rabbi Mi Her
in the public domain (beyond the range of an eruv)
can choose not to attend commencement, they can
would be forbidden. Ditto for driving, entering a metal
try to make reasonable adjustments or they can rally
detector, carrying an umbrella or using a mike. "Even with
for change. Drissman says more than 20 observant students at
innovative halachic solutions to avoiding violations:' Rabbi J
Wayne State will miss commencement this Shabbat.
says, "commencement is not in the spirit of Shabbat."
I can't defend Saturday commencement but it won't be
Still, his Jewish Resource Center in Ann Arbor remains non-
changed easily despite the religious freedoms in America. It's
judgmental. "For parents of graduating seniors coming in for
clearly a popular choice.
the weekend, we have Friday night dinner, Shabbos lunch — as
Still, campus enrollment is more diverse than ever. Smart,
proper a Shabbos as possible. We're as supportive and accom-
innovative people run universities. It's tough to believe the com-
modating as possible without breaking any traditions."
mencement predicament can't be resolved by spring 2007.
Over the years, Jewish students have asked U-M to move
Circumstances at Wayne State dictate a high degree of
graduation to another day."It's like fighting city hall',' Rabbi J
urgency to create a friendlier graduation environment for all.
says."It's too ingrained. I wish we could change it."
The school has a critical mass of observant students caught
between their Shabbat needs and the conflicts of a Saturday
graduation.
Options, Adjustments
While a Sunday graduation wouldn't violate Christian law, it
To sign the petition: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/
would conflict with churchgoers and those who view that day
WSUGraduation. To contact Judy Miller, secretary to the WSU Board
as a day of rest much like Shabbat. Holding graduation early on of Governors: Julie.h.miller@wayne.edu or (313) 577-2034.
a Friday like MSU is doing this week is one option; the program
would end before Shabbat, which doesn't begin until after 8
p.m. this time of year. Friday, however, could be problematic for
How sensitive to religious tradition must
Muslim students. Graduation early on a Thursday night would
public campuses be?
be less disruptive for travelers than, say, one on a Tuesday night.
It gets dark by 8:45, however. Some schools offer private or
E-mail: letters@thejewishnews.com.
smaller ceremonies in addition to the large ones.
U-M Hillel Assistant Director Rabbi Jason Miller signed

May 4 • 2006

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