Orthodox Jewish Groups Oppose Daylight Saving Bill Over Prayer Service Concerns
Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States are opposing a new daylight saving bill in Congress, arguing that it could disrupt morning prayer services by forcing them to start after 9 a.m. in some areas, potentially making observant Jews late…
Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 16, 2026 —
A proposed daylight saving bill currently before Congress is facing opposition from Orthodox Jewish organizations across the United States.
The groups argue that the legislation, if enacted, could significantly disrupt daily religious practices, particularly morning prayer services, known as Shacharit.
According to the organizations, the bill’s potential to shift sunrise times could result in morning prayers beginning after 9 a.m. in certain geographic locations. This later start time raises concerns about the ability of observant Jewish individuals to attend these services and subsequently arrive at work or school on time.
The core of the opposition lies in the scheduling of communal prayer. Traditional Orthodox services are often held early in the morning to accommodate work and school schedules, with many services beginning between 6:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. The proposed shift in daylight saving time could push the earliest possible start times later, creating a conflict with the religious obligation and practical needs of the community.
The organizations have not provided specific details on the exact number of individuals or communities that would be impacted, nor has the bill’s sponsor publicly addressed these specific concerns. The legislative status of the bill was not provided in the summary.
Story summarized from the original created by Yonat Shimron on www.npr.org, see more information here.
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