Away for the High Holidays

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 high holiday table. While it may feel strange having that empty seat, it can feel better to know that they are celebrating the holidays with a new community of their peers. There are options for Jewish students at UGA. You may want to let them know they exist and then hope that they will choose to participate.

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

Yom Kippur, the holiday when people can repent for their sins and fast can be difficult at school, but this year it falls on a Sunday and that will make it easier for your student to participate. However, depending on your family beliefs, sticking to family tradition is possible.

Students can enjoy and celebrate the holidays with their on-campus community. The UGA Hillel will hold Rosh Hashanah services, dinner, and pre-Yom Kippur dinner and learn about good deeds in the Sukkah. The Hillel also has weekly activities for Jewish students; a favorite being Shabbat dinner followed by an evening service. Per the University of Georgia’s requirements for social gatherings because of COVID, Hillel will not be having any in-person meetings this semester, but are planning on holding virtual meetings and gatherings virtually this semester.

The UGA Chabad program also has an entire schedule for the High Holidays and the New Year. Some may feel the Chabad is far more religious than they are accustomed to, but students have said that they are very welcoming regardless. Chabad has not made any decisions on how they plan on handling meetings, gatherings, and events this year. Whether your student chooses Hillel or Chabad, it is good to know there is a welcoming Jewish community for our students when they have to be away for the holidays where they can indulge in the customary prayers and participate in traditions like dipping an apple in honey to symbolize this request for the year to come or breaking the fast with bagels and lox. There is no charge to attend either one, but they do accept donations and an offering if you or your student feel led to give monetarily.

The dates for this year’s holidays:

• Rosh Hashanah-  9/18-9/20
• Yom Kippur- 9/27-9/28
• Sukkot- 10/2-10/9
• Simchat Torah- 10/10-10/11

I tried to send challah, honey, and a few other goodies one year and although UPS in Georgia from one city to another is merely overnight, it typically will cost much more to ship than to purchase. There are delivery services that can bring your student a treat of your choice though. Check out our blog on delivery services. Or consider ordering a prepared care package. Somehow 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, away from familial control, it’ll be extremely difficult to follow the fasting rule or go to synagogue at all. However, as they begin their new and independent lives, this too is part of the learning process. Just remember, even if they choose to skip what is the norm for your family while away at school, this doesn’t necessarily mean they are abandoning all that you taught them throughout their childhood.

Happy New Year!

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