Torah Thoughts - Ice Hockey on Rosh Hashanah?
An all too familiar controversy surfaced again this High Holiday season: conflicts with youth sports leagues. Last Shabbat I spoke about our local Soccer Club; this week I addressed the same issue in regard to ice hockey.
Members of Beth Ahm have a son who plays for the Old Bridge Junior Knights, and the “Squirt Jamboree” tournament is on both days of Rosh Hashanah. They expressed their extreme disappointment to league officials. The league president replied politely, citing the late onset of Labor Day and the challenge of scheduling. He apologized and assured them that this would not happen again.
Here is the message I sent to the league president.
I was informed by my congregants … about the unfortunate decision to schedule the squirt jamboree on Rosh Hashanah. I also read the correspondence between you and ... and I greatly appreciate your kind response to his concerns. I was surprised that the board's lengthy discussion came up only at this week's meeting, just days before the holiday. Still, I am glad that you are already aware of the timing for next year.
Please understand that these are very special days for Jews, when families join their faith communities for worship, holiday meals, and celebration. Further, it is a time of personal reflection. We consider our accomplishments over the past year, as well as those moments in which we fell short of our goals, and pledge to be the best we can be in the new year. This kind of introspection happens most effectively in a communal setting, or at one's Temple. In short, the holiday is critical to spiritual development for adults and for children alike.
Given how important Rosh Hashanah is for Jews, is there nothing that can be done? After all, Christmas and Easter are critical to Christians for similar reasons, which is why it would never occur to anyone to schedule games on these days because they are the holiest days on the Christian calendars. Your decision not only has a negative impact on Jewish participants, but it also sends an insensitive message to the Old Bridge community and to the surrounding area. Namely, the critical needs of a minority are not worthy of consideration. I understand that this is not your intention, but it is how it could easily be perceived. Perhaps a public acknowledgement of this error would be appropriate, so that no one will think that you acted with malice.
Please contact me if you have any questions. Your organization contributes much to the community at large, giving kids a sense of pride in their skills. If they believe they can handle adversity on the ice, then they'll know they can persevere in life. I would love to support your organization, but I cannot if you make it difficult for families to celebrate their religious identities.
Respectfully,
Rabbi Michael Pont
Labor Day was an issue in the soccer controversy as well. Why can’t leagues have games before Labor Day, in late August? Or for this year, why didn’t leagues schedule games on Labor Day weekend?
My friend and colleague Rabbi Matthew Berkowitz wrote that, “Our Torah readings this week bind together two opposites: nitzavim means rootedness, while va-yeilekh denotes moving. Ironically, in order to move forward with integrity, we must be rooted.” His insight applies to our dilemma. Rooted in Jewish values, we can enter the world at large proudly. In so doing we progress in life, and we strengthen society at large by sharing our values of community and faith.
What do you think? How would you respond to the league president? What advice would you give to the parents?
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Pont |
