Celebrate High Holidays with a New Community

Generally, our kids get to come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But for those who celebrate the upcoming Jewish High Holidays, it may be your first one without your students at your holiday table. While it may feel strange having that empty seat, it can ease the feeling to know that they are celebrating the high holidays with a new community of their peers. There are welcoming options for Jewish students at UF. You may want to let your student know where they are and what they offer, then hope that they will choose to participate.

Time Off

Not all colleges give days off for every holiday and UF isn’t any different. Students can certainly inform their professors, in advance, of their absence for the holiday, but chances are class will go on and they will be responsible for any work. Even if they do get a day or two off, there is not always enough time to travel back home. This is another reason that it’s nice to know there is a place for students to go, even if just for a festive meal. There are services too, and even sukkahs on Sukkot.

Yom Kippur, the holiday when people can repent for their sins and fast can be difficult at school, particularly when it falls in the middle of a busy week. However, depending on your family beliefs, sticking to family tradition is possible.

The Jewish Community

Students can enjoy and celebrate the holidays with their on-campus community. The UF Hillel, right across from campus, will be offering in-person and virtual holiday opportunities this year, just be sure to check their updated calendar before making plans. Expect to RSVP for any of the programmings like a Rosh Hashanah Dinner, pre-Yom Kippur dinner, or Sukkah celebration. The Hillel also has weekly activities for Jewish students. A favorite with many is Shabbat dinner followed by Friday evening services.

The Lubavitch Chabad Jewish Student & Community Center at UF offers many of the same options as the Hillel. Their services are a little longer but I hear the chicken is a little tastier. Either way, it is good to know there is a welcoming Jewish community for our students. When your student has to be away for the holidays, they can still indulge in the customary prayers for a “sweet New Year” on the High Holidays and participate in traditions like dipping an apple in honey or breaking the fast with bagels and lox. Some may feel the Chabad is more religious than they are accustomed to, but students have said that they are all very welcome. There is no charge, but donations are accepted and appreciated. Students will need to RSVP.

High Holiday Services and Events

Chabad understands that there are currently different levels of comfort with regard to the safety of gatherings, even religious. So they are planning a range of options to serve the needs of the UF students and community during the High Holidays this year, including a DIY option for anyone homebound. They will also be hosting High Holiday Services and meals in person while following all of the safety guidelines instituted for the rest of their programs. Please check their site for updates, so your student can make the necessary reservations.

As offered by Chabad:

• Rosh Hashanah – 1st evening and morning schedule
  • Friday, September 18
    • Candle Lighting 7:00 pm
    • Evening Service 7:30 pm (followed by Holiday Dinner)
  • Saturday, September 19
    • Morning Service 10:00 am
    • Shofar Blowing 12:30 pm (followed by Mussaf and Kiddush Lunch)
    • Student and Family Tashlich Waterfront Service@ Chabad 5:30 pm

• Rosh Hashanah – 2nd evening and morning schedule
  • Saturday, September 19
    • Candle Lighting after 7:52 pm
    • Evening Service 8:00 pm (followed by Holiday Dinner)
  • Sunday, September 20
    • Morning Service 10:00 am
    • Shofar Blowing 12:30 pm (followed by Mussaf and Kiddush Lunch)
    • Holiday Ends 7:50 pm

• Yom Kippur
  • Sunday, September 27
    • Candle Lighting 6:49 pm
    • Fast begins 6:49 pm
    • Kol Nidrei and Evening Service 7:00 pm
  • Monday, September 28
    • Shacharit Morning Service 10:00 am
    • Yizkor Service 12:30 pm (followed by Mussaf)
    • Mincha Afternoon Service 5:30 pm
    • Neilah Closing Service 6:30 pm
    • Napoleon’s March 7:30 pm
    • Yom Kippur and Fast Ends 7:41 pm

Send a Care Package

The synagogue I belong to sends out care packages to their congregant’s college students if you have provided their name and address. You can send challah, honey, and a few other goodies through UPS in Florida. Typically, delivery from one city to another is merely overnight. There are delivery services that can bring your student a treat of your choice, too. For more information, check out our blog on Delivery Services. Or consider ordering a prepared care package. Sometimes sending a care package as a gentle reminder of the holiday may push them towards the Hillel or Chabad a bit faster. We like Challah Connection.

While in college, it will be extremely difficult to follow the fasting rule or even go to synagogue. As your student begins their new and independent life, this is one more part of the learning process. Just remember, even if they choose to skip what is the norm for your family while away at school, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are abandoning all that you taught them throughout their childhood.

Happy New Year!

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