Sundown on Friday, September 15, marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days, with the start of Rosh Hashanah.
There are many opportunities to celebrate and learn about the High Holy Days here at Nazareth:
Everyone is welcome, whether it is your first time at a High Holy Day celebration or your 30th (and anything in between).
If you plan on attending a meal, please RSVP to hillel@naz.edu.
RSVPs are not needed for the services or the walk to the canal.
Students who are interested in attending daytime services on Saturday, 9/16, or Monday, 9/25, should email hillel@naz.edu for more information about joining the Hillel at the University of Rochester for services.
Information about all holiday events will also be posted on Hillel's instagram page: @nazarethuniversityhillel
To support your friends, colleagues, or students who are observing the holidays, please consider avoiding the dates of the High Holy Days for major events.
On Rosh Hashanah and throughout the holiday season, you can wish someone "Shana Tova" (a good year) or "Shana Tova U'Metukah" (a good and sweet year). Of course, "Happy New Year" works, too!
On Yom Kippur, we often wish each other "G'mar Tov" which is short for a longer expression meaning, "May you be sealed (in the Book of Life) for a good year." If you know someone is fasting, it is also entirely appropriate to wish them an "easy fast."
We have the privilege of being members of a campus community where we serve as one another's teachers, learning from the beautiful array of diverse religious and spiritual practices. Often, it is through learning about someone else's religious or spiritual practice that we take time to reflect on our own beliefs and traditions, resulting in a deeper appreciation and understanding for all of us.
Shana Tova U'Metukah to our Jewish colleagues, students, and friends!
— Culture, Community, and Belonging; Center for Spirituality; Nazareth University Hillel; and the Konar Center for Tolerance and Jewish Studies
As stated in Nazareth's Religious Observances Policy in the Naz catalogues, about religious observances and fasting: "A student who is unable to participate in any class, examination, or assignment due to their religious holy day requirements (including fasting) shall not be penalized, provided the instructor has been notified in writing at least one week prior to the absence.
Because many graduate classes meet only once per week, the graduate policy requires notification of a religious observance absence two weeks in advance.
If you have questions or need assistance with a religious accommodation, please contact Jamie Fazio, Director of the Center for Spirituality, jfazio1@naz.edu or Julianne Miller, Assistant Director of the Center for Spirituality and Hillel Advisor, at jmiller64@naz.edu.
NOTE: Due to the Jewish HighHoly Days falling at the beginning of the semester, please exercise leniency with the requirement for one-to-two weeks' notice.