For many, Hanukah seems like the most important Jewish holiday, receiving attention during the winter holiday season, but for serious Jews, this week of the High Holidays comprise the pillars of their spirituality.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year; and Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, are considered to be possibly the two most significant holidays in the Jewish religion. Rash Hashanah, which takes place September 28 at sundown and according to Associate Professor in Political Science Sanford Kessler, is when God judges people as individuals.
“It is like he has a book in front of him and he totes up our good deeds and our bad deeds and he renders judgment on us,” Kessler said. “The space between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time when we can repent for our sins. Because we are written in the book of life as it’s called on Rosh Hashanah but we are not signed and sealed in the book until Yom Kippur which comes 10 days later.”
Yom Kippur, which takes place October 7, is the day of atonement.
“A lot of the prayers for the holidays ask for forgiveness for sins and hope that we will be inscribed in the book of life,” Kessler said.
These holidays represent time of intense reflection to allow Jews to think about their past year and the good things they’ve done and the bad things they’ve done. According to Kessler, it’s in a way like making New Year’s resolutions.
“They think about ‘Okay if we get a good judgment, if our slate is wiped clean at the end of this year, what can we do for the sake of the good in the coming year that will make our status on judgment day better?'” Kessler said. “Both of the holidays are a combination of great seriousness but they’re also times of celebration as well.”
During Rosh Hashanah, rabbis and congregation members sound the shofar , an instrument made of a hollowed ram’s horn. During Yom Kippur, a 25-hour fast takes place, which begins before sunset the evening before Yom Kippur and ends after nightfall the next day. Restrictions to this include women who are pregnant and children under the age of nine. If someone is ill, they are advised to ask a Rabbi as well as a physician for advice.
For both holidays, traditional Shabbat, Jewish Sabbath, rules go into effect, and many people take off work and don’t use machinery, as if it were the day of rest. For conservative Jews, this entails walking to Synagogue and refraining from using appliances. Most of the day is spent in a synagogue in prayer.
According to Jodie Joseph, senior in animal science and an officer for the campus Jewish organization, Hillel, “Tradition for Rosh Hashanah is eating apples and honey to represent a sweet new year and you say ‘Shanah tovah’ which means happy new year.”
Sarah Mazur , senior in accounting and President of Hillel, said there are currently 250 Jewish students on campus, and approximately 40 of which are active members of Hillel.
With many school breaks being organized around Christian holidays such as Easter and Christmas, the Jewish holidays do not always fall within these breaks so some students have to take off class.
For observant students, Yom Kippur is during fall break however.
“Most teachers are willing to work with students to allow us to miss class and make up anything we miss, including tests,” Mazur said. “I have been fortunate to have teachers that realize the importance of these holidays, especially the High Holidays.
Joseph, however, said she does not take off class because her classes are too rigorous and she does not want to get behind. Professor Kessler said he cancels class on Rosh Hashanah, though to his knowledge he only has one Jewish student in class.
Nevertheless, Hillel is active outside these major holidays.
“We host a Shabbat dinner and student-led service on campus about two Fridays each month,” Mazur said. “On off weeks, some students will go to a service at Chapel Hill or go to a local synagogue. We also have special events for other Jewish holidays such as a Hanukkah party, Purim party, and Passover Sedar each year.”
Joseph said her goal as a Hillel officer is to expose others to the Jewish faith.
“The best way to stay devoted to my culture is to share it with the people close to me, such as my roommate, Stacey who has been born and raised in Sanford and never been exposed to Judaism,” Joseph said.