Orthodox Jewish Organizations Oppose Move to Permanent Daylight Saving Time
The U.S. House of Representatives recently voted 308-117 to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, a measure that would make daylight saving time permanent and eliminate the annual ritual of changing clocks. While the bill, which has been championed by President Donald Trump, now moves to the Senate, a coalition of Orthodox Jewish organizations is actively lobbying against it, citing significant concerns regarding religious practice.
The Impact on Daily Religious Observance
At the heart of the opposition is the requirement for the Shacharit, the morning prayer service, which by tradition cannot begin in the dark. Because Orthodox Jews pray three times a day and the morning service must be performed communally in a quorum of 10 Jewish adults—known as a minyan—the timing of these services is critical. According to Rabbi A.D. Motzen, national director of government affairs for Agudath Israel of America, the legislation would effectively push winter sunrises one hour later. “The bottom line is, if prayers have to start an hour later that will have a direct effect on people getting to work and on when schools can start,” Motzen said. The morning service typically lasts 35 minutes but can extend to nearly an hour. Motzen noted that the shift could prevent individuals from attending the communal service and still reaching their jobs or schools on time. “It becomes a communal issue when, for example, a synagogue that has had a morning prayer service for 100 years suddenly does not have a quorum of 10 men who can show up at the prayer time close to 9 o’clock because they have jobs,” he explained. In addition to Agudath Israel of America, the Orthodox Union and the Coalition for Jewish Values have also expressed opposition to the measure.
Geographic Challenges and Sunrise Times
Under the proposed law, sunrise would occur after 8 a.m. in most parts of the country during the winter, and after 9 a.m. in select locations. Agudath Israel has compiled data illustrating the extent of these late sunrises: * South Bend, Indiana: Sunrise would occur after 9 a.m. for 55 days a year, with some instances as late as 9:13 a.m. * Detroit, Michigan: Sunrise would occur after 9 a.m. for 23 days a year. These late sunrises also raise broader safety concerns. Parents and school boards have expressed anxiety about children walking to school in pitch-black conditions during winter mornings. This safety issue is one that Orthodox Jewish groups share with other concerned constituencies.
Broader Industry and Health Concerns
Orthodox Jewish organizations are not alone in their opposition. The aviation, trucking, and railroad industries have warned that the transition to permanent daylight saving time would be highly disruptive. Airlines for America (A4A), a trade association representing leading carriers, stated that the change would require up to 24 months to adjust complex scheduling systems, including crew positioning, aircraft maintenance, and reservation software. Aviation industry analyst Henry Harteveldt noted that because tickets are reserved well in advance, the industry relies on stability and predictability. While some experts suggest the transition could be managed in six months to a year, the industry maintains that significant operational changes are inevitable. Historical precedent also looms over the debate; when the U.S. attempted year-round daylight saving time in the 1970s, it was repealed after a few months following public outcry and safety concerns regarding children traveling to school in the dark.
Legislative Outlook
The future of the Sunshine Protection Act remains uncertain. While the House has passed the measure, its passage in the Senate is not guaranteed. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., previously objected to fast-tracking the bill, and Agudath Israel has reported that they have already secured his support in their opposition. If the bill were to become law, it would require states to observe year-round daylight saving time, with the exception of Hawaii and parts of Arizona that currently observe standard time year-round. While larger Jewish organizations have not taken a public position, the issue remains a priority for the Orthodox community, which represents approximately 9% of the 5.8 million Jewish adults in the U.S.
