The mother of a gymnast is asking the Colorado High School Athletics Association and Cherry Creek School District to reschedule tonight’s meet because it falls on the start of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Lisa Buechler, the Jewish parent of the senior who attends Smoky Hill High School and is part of the Overland High School gymnastics team, said her daughter, who has eight to 10 meets a year, should not be punished as an athlete for honoring her religion.
“Just because we’re a minority doesn’t mean we don’t have rights,” Buechler said. “I think it’s time to accommodate the most important Jewish holiday of the year.”
Buechler said she is not asking for a prohibition of events on the Sabbath, which begins Friday nights, but would ask that two nights are honored: Rosh Hashana, which was at sundown Sept. 29, and Yom Kippur.
CHSAA Deputy Commissioner Bert Borgmann said school districts, not the association, set meet and game schedules during the regular season. School districts have agreed to hold gymnastic meets on Wednesday nights.
The association schedules post- season play, Borgmann said, and it has elected to extend the tennis season by one week, the Jewish Holy Week, and delay its finals to accommodate the holidays.
School district spokeswoman Tustin Amole said meets are scheduled a year in advance and schools try to be cognizant of religious holidays, but scheduling is complicated.
Electa Draper: 303-954-1276 or edraper@denverpost.com
