Pennsylvania Senate resolution recognizes period of Jewish High Holy Days [View all]

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July 1, 2012
Justin Vacula
Scranton Atheism Examiner

The General Assembly of Pennsylvania has recently introduced and adopted Senate Resolution No. 339 “[r]ecognizing the holiday beginning with Rosh Hashanah and concluding with Yom Kippur” months before the holidays which, as the resolution says, begin on September 16, 2012.

The resolution notes that the period beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur is a “period of High Holy Days” in which “Jewish residents of this Commonwealth will devote ten days to representance, asking God for forgiveness for their sins and renewing their commitment to doing that which is right.”

Continuing, the resolution says, “Pennsylvania has a large and vibrant Jewish community that has made outstanding contributions to the Commonwealth; therefore be it resolved, That the Senate of Pennsylvania join with the Jewish community in celebrating the sound of the Shofar, proclaiming the New Year and wishing the Jewish community “L'Shanah Tovah,” a happy and peaceful New Year.”

This resolution would not be the first entanglement with religious matters for governmental bodies in Pennsylvania. In late January, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives declared 2012 as the “Year of the Bible.” In March, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives introduced House Resolution No. 609 declaring a “National Day of Prayer” in the state of Pennsylvania. In June, legislation was proposed to declare 2012 as “The Year of Religious Diversity.”

http://www.examiner.com/article/pennsylvania-senate-resolution-recognizes-period-of-jewish-high-holy-days

Here's the complete resolution.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2011&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=R&billNbr=0339&pn=2344

How is "wishing the Jewish community 'L'Shanah Tovah,' a happy and peaceful New Year an "entanglement"?