Dealing with Parenting Time During Jewish High Holidays: A Comprehensive Guide

A considerable degree of attention is paid to discussions of divorce, child custody, parenting time, and the wintertime holidays – which include the Christian celebration of Christmas. Much less time is focused on parenting time during Jewish high holidays. We turn our attention to an overview of parenting time during Jewish high holidays.

Understanding Jewish High Holidays

We begin this discussion by taking an essential look at the Jewish high holidays themselves.

Definition and Significance of High Holidays

The Jewish high holidays are considered to be a time of “renewal, forgiveness, freedom, and joy.” This pair of holidays or holy days combine celebration and joyfulness together with sacred reflection as well as repentance. These holidays are important times for Jewish families to spend together – which is the reason why a discussion of parenting time during Jewish high holidays is crucial.

Key Dates and Duration of Celebrations

The focus of parenting time during Jewish high holidays includes two primary celebrations: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These two holy days oftentimes are extended to include the period of 10 days between these two holidays, referred to as the Days of Repentance.

Legal Framework in New Jersey

There are some standard guidelines that are oftentimes utilized when it comes to addressing issues in regard to custody and parenting time surrounding holidays of different types. These guidelines do play a role in establishing a schedule for parenting time over the Jewish high holidays.

New Jersey Family Court Guidelines

In New Jersey, holiday parenting time typically takes precedence over regular custody schedules. The courts recognize the importance of both parents sharing meaningful holiday experiences with their children.

Religious Rights in Custody Agreements

If parents share legal custody pursuant to a divorce decree or settlement agreement, each parent shares in decision making in regard to religion and religious issues. This would include the manner in which such religious events like the Jewish high holidays are celebrated in a particular family in a post-divorce environment.

Best Interest of the Child Standard

In New Jersey divorce cases, the “best interest of the child” standard is the guiding principle courts use to make decisions about custody and parenting arrangements. This legal standard requires courts to prioritize the child’s welfare, safety, happiness, and physical and mental development above all other considerations.

Common Parenting Time Arrangements

There are a number of essential ways in which a parenting time schedule can be formulated for the Jewish high holidays. For example, three common arrangements and considerations when it comes to custody, parenting time, and the Jewish high holidays are:

• Alternating holidays between parents
• Split holiday arrangements
• Arrangements that take into consideration both religious and secular celebrations

Communication Strategies

At the heart of effective scheduling of parenting time and associated issues during the Jewish high holidays are meaningful, comprehensive communication strategies. These include:

• Advance planning with co-parent
• Written documentation of agreements
• Using parenting apps or calendars

Addressing Common Challenges

Flexibility is also important when it comes to dealing with custody, parenting time, and related issues during the Jewish high holidays. Different types of challenges can arise when working to address a suitable parenting time schedule associated with the
Jewish high holidays. Three of the most commonplace of these challenges are:

• Conflicting schedules
• Interstate custody considerations
• Dealing with last-minute changes

Ancillary Issues Associated with Parenting Time and the High Holidays

There are some associated or ancillary issues that come into play when addressing matters associated with the Jewish high holidays and parenting time. Examples of these ancillary matters include:

• Religious education rights
• Transportation arrangements
• Make-up time provisions (which are directly related with the need for flexibility)

Planning for Future Years

Finally,when you take the steps necessary to address matters associated with parenting time related to the Jewish high holidays, you must plan for the future. You absolutely do not want to be left in a position in which you have to take on issues associated with custody, parenting time, and the traditional Jewish high holy days. You want to develop comprehensive strategies that are applicable and usable in future years. This process includes:

• Long-term scheduling strategies
• Building flexibility into agreements
• Regular review and updates

If you have questions concerning holiday parenting time, call the Law Offices of Peter Van Aulen at 201-845-7400 for a free consultation.