PARIS (EJP)---The Jewish holiday of Shavuot has become an official national public holiday in France after years of repeated demand by the chief rabbinate.
France’s chief rabbi Joseph Haim Sitruk told Jewish radio Radio J that Shavuot is now recognized in the official bulletin of the French Republic along with Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement.
Shavuot which means “weeks” refers to the timing of the Jewish festival which is held exactly 7 weeks after Passover. It marks the day the Torah was given to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai and also celebrates the harvest season in Israel.
Sitruk explained that because Shavuot, according to the Jewish calendar, is usually celebrated in May or June, it coincides with school and university exams.
“Since several years Jewish students complain and write to us to deplore the coincidence between their exams and Shavuot,” Sitruk, said.
This bring difficulties and uncertainties for many students who don’t want to give up their Jewish identity despite sometimes grave consequences such as a failed school or university year.
For this reason, some students went to study in the US or in the UK where the problem doesn’t exist.
Former French president Jacques Chirac personally intervened to find a solution but it was a long and hard procedure, Sitruk said.
The chief rabbi added: “Last week, the French Minister in charge of public offices, Eric Woerth, told me that the Jewish festival is now in the Journal Officiel.”
According to André Cohen, in charge of communication at the Consistoire, President Nicolas Sarkozy has played a role “by giving an impetus.”
“From now on Jewish students will be able to continue their studies in complete serenity,” he added.