DENVER — A Jewish school’s plea for basketball playoff games to be scheduled at times other than the Jewish Sabbath got support from the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
"In a nation as religiously diverse as America, it is important that we all make the extra effort to accommodate the beliefs and practices of others," said Amina Rubin, communications coordinator for CAIR. "Student athletes should not be forced to choose between their faith and participation in sports." Herzl/Rocky Mountain Hebrew Academy CEO Avi Halzel said he appreciated the support. The team faced the prospect of qualifying for a regional championship game but not being able to play. The boys’ regional game was scheduled for Saturday, March 8, but the school’s religious beliefs prohibit students from playing between sundown Friday and sundown Saturday. The Colorado High School Activities Association, which governs sports and other high school activities, had said the school could participate in playoff games at the district level if other schools agreed. The schools agreed. CHSAA said that if "an additional change could have been made, it would have been done," but that it would be difficult to rearrange the schedule at the regional level.
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