[Update to earlier post] This is the time of year when many Jewish students and employees encounter difficulties with religious accommodation in college or in the workplace. This year will pose a special challenge since the Yomim Noraim and Sukkos fall on weekdays.

Agudath Israel has always been on the forefront of helping people with problems of religious accommodation. Last year, the Constituent Services Dept. of Agudath Israel of America received numerous requests for help from college students who were facing serious penalties for missing classes or tests on Yom Tov.

Unfortunately, few people are aware that there are clear and strict laws in New Jersey (and New York) and other states which protect students from religious discrimination. The law is on their side, and this knowledge will solve many problems for students grappling with such issues.

We are now making available the text of the New Jersey state law protecting students’ religious rights. Any student being forced to violate religious observance is invited to contact the Constituent Services Department of Agudath Israel of America at 212-797-9000 ext. 335 or email [email protected].

Following is the text of the New Jersey State law:

An institution of higher education shall provide any student who, for reason of a religious observance, cannot attend a test or examination at its regular administration with an alternative opportunity to take an equivalent test or examination. The alternative opportunity shall be offered as soon after or before the regular administration of the test as is possible, and at comparable times, places, and costs. The institution may request that the student provide a written explanation of the religious conflict signed by a clergyman of the student’s place of worship. N.J.S.A. 18A:3B-37

a. As used in this section:
“Standardized test” means any test that is given in the State at the expense of the test subject and designed for use and used in the process of selection for postsecondary or professional school admissions. The tests shall include, but are not limited to, the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, Scholastic Aptitude Test, ACT Assessment, Graduate Record Examination, Medical College Admission Test, Law School Admission Test, Dental Admission Test, Graduate Management Admission Test, Miller Analogies Test, and the Test of Standard Written English.

b. When regular administrations of standardized tests are given on days of religious observance which prevent attendance by test subjects at the regular administrations, alternative administrations shall be offered with the same frequency as regular administrations as soon after or before as is possible, at comparable times, places, and costs. The test agency may request that the test subject provide a written explanation of the religious conflict signed by a clergyman of the test subject’s place of worship. N.J.S.A. 18A:3B-38

[TLS]