Students celebrate Jewish High Holy Days

Matt Baker Guest Writer Sarah Siegel Life Editor

At sundown on Wednesday, Sept. 12, observant Jews will begin celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The holiday commemorates the day 5,767 years ago when, according to ancient Jewish tradition, God created the world.

“Rosh Hashanah is a holiday that calls for reflection and renewal,” said Jewish Studies Associate Professor of Religion Marc Epstein. It falls in the Jewish month dedicated to asking for others’ forgiveness, and offering it to those who ask. Observant Jews spend the first 10 days of the new year, called the 10 Days of Awe, asking forgiveness of God. The Days culminate with the fast-day Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, on which observant Jews believe God will write their names into either the Book of Life or the Book of Death for the next year.

“It’s about rethinking where one stands,” with regard to oneself, other people, and God, said Epstein. The holiday normally roughly coincides with the beginning of the school year.
“Where the new school year can be a time of renewal and even re-invention,” said Epstein, “one of the most important words associated with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is ‘teshuva,’ which means ‘a return to oneself, to one’s core of being.’” So too an important ritual of the holiday is the blowing of the shofar, a ram’s horn, which makes a noise meant to pull people out of their daily lethargy.

While many students choose to be with their families during the high holidays, for the past five years Rabbi Rena Blumenthal has worked with the Vassar Jewish Union (VJU) to hold all the services and traditional meals of the holidays on campus.

VJU member Adin Nelson ’08, who will be leading services this year, explained that while he stayed on campus for the first couple of years for convenience, he attends now for the special character of Vassar’s Jewish community.

“It’s small but not too small—there’s a critical mass that gets things to happen, but it’s small enough to give it an unusual pluralism.”

He said American Jews normally practice one of three modes of religious observance: Reform, Conservative or Orthodox. “At larger universities,” said Nelson, “services can become segregated. But Vassar’s Jewish community is diverse in a way that makes it really special.”

“Absolutely everybody is welcome,” said Blumenthal, including “anyone who’s curious or just wants to do some reflection themselves.” Even those who aren’t Jewish or don’t speak Hebrew can participate, she said. “Every important prayer is transliterated so that you can read along,” said Blumenthal, “and all the prayers are translated into English.”

Services will be held on Thursday and Friday morning in the Aula at 10 a.m., followed by Kiddush and a snack. On Thursday an evening service will be held in the Aula, followed by a catered dinner.
Students may opt to go off-campus as well.

“If anyone wants a full synagogue experience there’s a Beth El in Poughkeepsie,” said High Holy Days Coordinator Amanda Strauss ’10.