2008 Woodie Awards
Having the balls to choose religion over the big game
Amy Cohen
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: Op/Ed
As the Passover holiday came to a close, and with it my spring volleyball season, I've found myself wondering how being Jewish and playing a sport, two very important parts of my life, affect each other. Many times throughout my experience in athletics, I've caught myself saying, "I can't, I have volleyball" to a friend or a family member, or even in response to a minor religious event. But as I get older, I can't help wondering how much is too much when it comes to my sport.
I will never forget my freshman year of high school when I refused to play on Yom Kippur. I missed practice that day in favor of going to temple. My coach sat me for the next game, since those were the school's rules about missing a practice. I couldn't argue because I was the only Jewish player on the team. This year, I was in a similar situation for Rosh Hashanah, except my coach was a lot more understanding this time around. She respected my decision to not play that day out of respect for the holiday; I was not punished for it in practice or in playing time.
Recently, I've heard a lot of talk about Jewish athletes concerned and unhappy about game and practice schedules in relation to Jewish holidays. While I recognize, as a Jewish athlete, that it is unfair and disrespectful to schedule contests on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and the first two nights of Passover, it is also necessary to realize that as athletes this is what we signed up for. Before going into preseason back in the fall, I knew that I would not have a fall break or be able to see my family for most of the first semester. This is the level of commitment that every athlete makes, whether or not they are Jewish.
Here's the problem: we all are dedicated to our sports and if presented with choosing between a game or going to temple on one of the High Holy Days, 9 times out of 10 we will choose the game. We then opt to not play out of respect for the holiday, not because we are afraid of some punishment from our coaches, but because we feel guilty missing a game even though no one would deliberately make us feel this way. People need to be confident and comfortable in the decision that they make, but this should not have to be an issue. I know the Athletics Department is very well aware of the situation and tries to be accommodating (my coach bears the brunt of a lot of the scheduling issues,) but the choice between athletics and religion would be a lot easier if games weren't scheduled on major holidays for both Jewish and non-Jewish players.
At the same time, we cannot abuse these possible changes to the athletic schedules, because the seasons are only so long as it is. Individual athletes need to be willing to work with their coaches and the administration over religious conflicts, and not take advantage of the holiday excuse. At this point, it is early enough that a balance could be achieved with scheduling for next year as long as student athletes and the administration can compromise respectfully. Asking students to chose between a sport they love and a religion they've grown up with and are equally as committed to, is not an option.
I will never forget my freshman year of high school when I refused to play on Yom Kippur. I missed practice that day in favor of going to temple. My coach sat me for the next game, since those were the school's rules about missing a practice. I couldn't argue because I was the only Jewish player on the team. This year, I was in a similar situation for Rosh Hashanah, except my coach was a lot more understanding this time around. She respected my decision to not play that day out of respect for the holiday; I was not punished for it in practice or in playing time.
Recently, I've heard a lot of talk about Jewish athletes concerned and unhappy about game and practice schedules in relation to Jewish holidays. While I recognize, as a Jewish athlete, that it is unfair and disrespectful to schedule contests on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and the first two nights of Passover, it is also necessary to realize that as athletes this is what we signed up for. Before going into preseason back in the fall, I knew that I would not have a fall break or be able to see my family for most of the first semester. This is the level of commitment that every athlete makes, whether or not they are Jewish.
Here's the problem: we all are dedicated to our sports and if presented with choosing between a game or going to temple on one of the High Holy Days, 9 times out of 10 we will choose the game. We then opt to not play out of respect for the holiday, not because we are afraid of some punishment from our coaches, but because we feel guilty missing a game even though no one would deliberately make us feel this way. People need to be confident and comfortable in the decision that they make, but this should not have to be an issue. I know the Athletics Department is very well aware of the situation and tries to be accommodating (my coach bears the brunt of a lot of the scheduling issues,) but the choice between athletics and religion would be a lot easier if games weren't scheduled on major holidays for both Jewish and non-Jewish players.
At the same time, we cannot abuse these possible changes to the athletic schedules, because the seasons are only so long as it is. Individual athletes need to be willing to work with their coaches and the administration over religious conflicts, and not take advantage of the holiday excuse. At this point, it is early enough that a balance could be achieved with scheduling for next year as long as student athletes and the administration can compromise respectfully. Asking students to chose between a sport they love and a religion they've grown up with and are equally as committed to, is not an option.