LEWISTON, Maine — Students in Lewiston will have two new holidays added to their calendar started next school year.
Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the day of atonement).
The school committee passed the measure unanimously.
Earlier this year, the committee added the Muslim holiday, Eid al-Fitr, also called the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", to the calendar.
Committee member Kierman Majerus-Collins noted that Easter and Christmas are already celebrated. He says it's time for the school district to recognize the two most sacred days for Judaism as well.
Majerus-Collins adds that although the Jewish community is small.. all students can benefit from this change.
This year, Rosh Hashanah falls on September 7, and Yom Kippur on September 16. Those two days will be added to the end of the school year.