Starting in September, schools in Litchfield will no longer get Jewish holidays off.

In a 5-to-3 vote, the school board ruled not to observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Supporters say it’s a fair decision to the majority of students who are not Jewish.

Opponents say it’s creating a sense of intolerance.

According to a school board member who voted against the measure, Litchfield schools were once called out for not being culturally sensitive enough. She argues this latest measure is proof of that.

Avery Jenkins is Buddhist but he says his two children follow his wife’s religion, Judaism. He’s not happy with the board’s decision to have school stay open on the two holidays.

“I don’t think any school system should really favor one religion over another,” said Jenkins.

His wife is one of three board members who fought to keep the school calendar the same.

“Litchfield once again demonstrates its lack of cultural sensitivity and lack of flexibility when it comes to respecting the need of minority population families to balance ethnic and religious views with the demands of a rigorous education,” Jenkins said.

Jewish students who take off during those holidays will get an excused absence, but some parents say that is not the only problem.

They say teachers schedule exams or major assignments right around that time and their children have to fight to catch up.

The superintendent said in a statement: “The district will continue to accommodate every student’s needs and ensure that our faculty is sensitive to the needs of all students.”

After speaking with the superintendent, one local rabbi says he agrees with the new rules and plans on setting up a meeting soon with the school.

It difficult to measure how many Jewish people actually live in Litchfield and therefore how many people are affected because no one here records demographics according to religion.

(Source: WFSB)