SF high school dance cancelled due to Jewish holiday

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- There is a tough lesson being taught at a San Francisco high school. Administrators cancelled a dance scheduled for Friday because it's a Jewish holiday. The district describes it as a learning opportunity about respecting all religions, but some students are frustrated by the last minute decision.

Senior Jessica Weiss is on the Lowell High School Student Body and she was looking forward to a fundraising dance. It was a chance for the senior board to raise money for things like prom and graduation. However, just a day before the event, she says the principal told them the dance was cancelled, even though it had been on the calendar for months.

"He said, 'It's above me. The school district said they had a few complaints from parents that it was on the same day as the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur and we have to cancel the dance," said Weiss.

The school website says it's rescheduled.

"We don't see the need in canceling an event for observance of a religious holiday because as a public institution we believe that we should separate religious factors from anything that goes into the planning of the school," said Weiss.

And she says they're losing hundreds of dollars already spent, while also missing out on what they would raise.

ABC7 News contacted San Francisco Unified and a spokesperson said they regret the short notice of the postponement, but "the principal is working with student government to make this a learning opportunity about respecting all religions."

According to the website, the new date for the dance is next Friday the 20th, however Jessica says that date is also problematic.

"One of the huge groups that attend is the seniors, but the ACT date is the day right after in the morning and this is a dance that would go in the evening until about 10 p.m.," said Weiss.

Fewer seniors attending the dance will mean less money raised for future events.

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holiday, religion, san francisco news, ama daetz

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