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September 13, 2002/Tishri 7 5762, Vol. 55, No. 3
Tempe school district accommodates holiday
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
The lights were dark on football fields across the Tempe Union High School District last Friday night after the district scheduled all varsity football games to be played on Thursday, Sept. 5, rather than Friday, Sept. 6, the evening of Rosh Hashana.
Superintendent James Buchanan said this was not the first time the High Holidays affected the district's athletic schedule.
"This is the second time that we have rescheduled athletic events of this nature (during) the High Holy Day period," he explained. "Our Jewish community has been very, very active in helping us have a better understanding of the High Holy Days and the significance of them to our kids and the requirements that those children and their families have in order to practice (their religion) appropriately at that time."
Buchanan said Rabbi Andrew Straus of Temple Emanuel of Tempe, teacher Suzanne Goldstein of Tempe High School and TUHSD Director of Athletics Don Wilkinson were instrumental in the schedule change. According to Buchanan, both Straus and Goldstein keep the district informed of any potential conflicts with school activities and the Jewish holidays. Wilkinson was responsible for working out the alternative game schedule with the schools, coaching staffs and the opposing teams.
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