Wednesday, February 27, 2008

JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM FACES PLAYOFF REPLACEMENT OVER SHABBAT

Jewish School Team Faces Replacement Over Championship on Sabbath (FoxNews)
DENVER — State senators have taken up the cause of a Jewish school's basketball teams whose playoff runs may be halted because its players can't play on their Sabbath.


Herzl/Rocky Mountain Hebrew Academy's boys team could be headed for a regional championship on Saturday, March 8, if it wins one more game Thursday. But the Denver school's religious beliefs prohibit students from playing on the Jewish Sabbath between sundown Friday and sundown Saturday.

Earlier this month, the Colorado High School Activities Association, which governs sports and other high school activities, rejected the team's request for a schedule change.

If Herzl/RMHA makes it to the regional championship and refuses to play a Saturday game, another school would be chosen to take its place, CHSAA Commissioner Bill Reader said.

Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, said Wednesday the athletic association is sending the wrong message to schoolchildren, but he acknowledged there is little lawmakers can do to the privately funded organization.

Gordon, the Senate majority leader, said the association could leave itself open to a lawsuit because it passed a rule barring playoff games on Sundays. The association has said that was to give children and coaches a day off.

Reader said CHSAA can't accommodate everyone.

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