Jewish High Holy Days

2023/5784

Sundown on Friday, September 15, marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days, with the start of Rosh Hashanah.

  • Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year (the literal translation from Hebrew is "the head of the year") marks the birth of the world, or the anniversary of creation as described in the Torah. It is celebrated with prayer services, festive meals, symbolic foods (like apples and honey for a sweet new year), and gathering with family, friends, and community. Rosh Hashanah also begins a 10-day period of reflection focused on "teshuva," or "return" to our best selves.
  • The 10 days conclude with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which begins on Sunday evening, September 24. Yom Kippur is observed with reflection, prayer, and (for those who are able), a 25-hour fast. The holiday ends with a festive Break Fast meal.

Celebrate with us

There are many opportunities to celebrate and learn about the High Holy Days here at Nazareth:

  • Friday, September 15 - Erev (Evening of) Rosh Hashanah Service at 5:30 p.m., followed by a festive Rosh Hashanah Dinner* at 6:30 p.m. in the Sulam Center in George Hall.
  • Saturday, September 16 - New Year Sweets: Take a walk to the canal with Naz Hillel to share in the ritual of tashlich, or "casting off" our mistakes from the past year to start the new year off fresh, followed by ice cream at Pittsford Farms Dairy for a sweet new year. Meet in front of Golisano Academic Center (GAC) at 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 24 - Yom Kippur Pre-Fast Meal* at 5:30 p.m., followed by a Kol Nidrei (evening of Yom Kippur) service at 6:45 p.m. in the Sulam Center, George Hall).
  • Monday, September 25 - Yom Kippur Concluding Service at 7:15 p.m., followed by a festive Break Fast meal* at 7:45 p.m. in the Sulam Center, George Hall.

Everyone is welcome, whether it is your first time at a High Holy Day celebration or your 30th (and anything in between).

*RSVP for meals

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.

Nearby services

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.

Instagram

Information about all holiday events will also be posted on Hillel's instagram page:  @nazarethuniversityhillel

Avoid scheduling conflicts

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.

Traditional greetings

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

Religious Observances Policy

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.