Members of Dartmouth's Jewish community came together Tuesday night to approve a new policy for the use of the Roth Center as a study space on Saturday, the Jewish day of Sabbath.
About 20 Hillel members unanimously approved at the organization's weekly general meeting a carefully-drafted policy that aimed to satisfy the needs of a range of different students.
The policy addressed a conflict between some students' academic needs and others' religious observance: Many use the Roth Center as a quiet study space during finals, but for more observant Jews, doing any form of work on Shabbat, the holy day of the week, is forbidden.
For some, staying "Shomer Shabbat" precludes turning lights on and off, writing, using computers, phones, microwaves or other electronic devices.
"A conflict arose [regarding] the four Saturdays each year during finals/reading period," Hillel president David Freeman '06 told The Dartmouth. "Hillel members have used the Roth Center as a valuable study space, [especially] when the libraries are packed during finals."
Under the new policy, the students may use designated rooms in the Roth Center, including the library and the lounge, to study. In the sanctuary, the main hallway space on the first floor and Rabbi Edward Boraz's office, however, students are asked to refrain from using writing implements, phones, beepers, computers or other electronic devices -- except medical aid devices such as hearing aids that assist in health or mobility.
"The resolution to this was to allocate some of the rooms for students who wished to do work, and another part of the building for students who wish to remain Shomer Shabbat," Freeman said. "This way, both ends of the spectrum can feel comfortable in the Roth Center at all times."
The resolution, which outlines the specific use of different spaces within the Center, is premised upon mutual respect.
"Please maintain the proper decorum on both floors during Shabbat services," it reads. Students are encouraged to contact Boraz with questions or special needs.
The debate centers on different degrees of religious observance and different ways of observing the kedushah, or holiness, of Sabbath, according to Boraz.
"For some Jewish students, this means not turning on lights, and treating the Sabbath with ultimate respect," Boraz said. "Turning on lights can be considered work, and therefore not appropriate for Sabbath observance."
However, "others believe that such a thing does not violate the Sabbath," said Boraz. For some, the use of valuable study time on Friday and Saturday is compatible with their faith.
The policy was originally drafted by Elana Bannerman '05 and revised based on feedback from Hillel community members over two weeks.
Similar guidelines existed already in the form of signs posted in the Roth Center, but Hillel wanted to express them in an official policy that had the backing of the organization's members, according to Bannerman.
