Homecoming and Yom Kippur
Thank you for visiting.
Below are links to various documents that have resulted from the original 9/7/2004 email.
Currently, the JSU is meeting Tuesday 9/14/04 at 10 PM in the Davidson Union to discuss the issues at hand.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, I can be reached at emmcrae@davidson.edu
Have a nice day!
The Davidson College Website can be reached here.
UPDATE: Several things have happened since I last updated this site. One, the week before Yom Kippur/Homecoming The Davidsonian ran an article on the scheduling conflict. Last week at a faculty meeting a referendum was unanimously passed that expressed the faculty's displeasure over the situation, and requested the establishment of a committee specifically targeted at ensuring similiar incidents do not happen again. And most recently, The Davidsonian published an article that said the Board of Trustees is voting on (essentially) whether or not to continue requiring all Trustees to be active members of the Christian Church. I've typed up the key point and they are now the 10th link. While this has nothing to do directly with the scheduling of Homecoming on Yom Kippur, the subjects are related, and invariably tied in conversation. I personally find the proposed changes both dramatic and wonderful, and am proud to be attending Davidson during these changes.
UPDATE: The JSU meeting is over. The religious life committee got together yesterday, and the entire committee (all the religious organizations on campus and their affiliated representatives) wrote a wonderful letter on our behalf. The Davidsonian is writing an article on the situation, and many balls seem to be rolling.
UPDATE: Sorry if the statements on this page earlier offended anyone, I have edited them. But please note: I do not speak for the JSU, I speak for myself. It is the responsibility of the JSU leadership to speak for the JSU.
UPDATE: A variety of opinions of both the current situation and possible responses have come up. And all opinions are welcome. This is something that needs to be discussed.
To many people, particularly if you are senior, it seems easier to just move on and not make waves. If you aren't terribly observant, aren't terribly concerned with the future of Jews on the Davidson Campus, or if you are particularly keen on assimilation, this is a perfectly legit stance, and one that needs to be heard.
For some students, Davidson is their first experience with having to work at Judaism. It was easy to be Jewish when you could feasibly walk to shul.
But we do have to work. The administration may proclaim that "diversity" is the theme of the school year (and then request that every department somehow work that into their messages), the Class of 2008 may read a book about a friendship that crosses social divisions for their freshman reading, and this school may proclaim from the rooftops that they support freedom of choice in all endeavors. But knowlingly scheduling a major event on Yom Kippur, particularly when the school was completely aware of its actions, is an insult. Period. It is the loud and proud statement of "We don't care about Jews."
I appreciate Mr. Merrell's apology. However, I think an apology is due, from President Vagt, the school, the board of trustees, or anyone, not just to single protesting voices, but to Jews as a whole.
I'm sure many of you don't care. Or won't care, which is a necessary distinction. Fine, we all have our priorities. But for those of us who deeply care about having to choose between being a normal Davidson student and being a normal Jew, some sort of action is necessary.
I feel that whether we choose to be active or inactive, our choices are going to noticed. If we choose to write a letter, hold a meeting, or involve other groups, the administration will take note of it. But more importantly, if we do nothing, the administration will also take note of that.
UPDATE: There is a message board of sorts up now. Message Board of Sorts
The format is the same as a blog, because that was all I could find. But it is supposed to allow open posting. If it works, this will be a nice way of keeping all the Yom Kippur related communications together.
High Holiday Related Documents
September 7, 2004 Email
A Letter from Mari and Siu Ping (2 JSU Seniors) to DC President Bobby Vagt
Dr. Ault Suggest Contacting the Ethnic Diversity Committee
Details of WDAV High Holiday Programming
Brian Orland's Response
Matt Merrell Responds to Brian's Email
Support From a Parent, and Several Suggestions
An Email from Dr. Plank (Chair of the DC Religion Department)
Emails from Carrie and Kelly
Davidsonian Article on Board of Trustees
