Each year, more than 200,000 Jewish students leave home to attend institutions of higher learning in the United States and Canada. Most of these teenagers have celebrated the High Holidays with their families their entire lives – never apart from them.
Still, these university students have found ways to observe and celebrate the holidays… and to enjoy them.
Casey Barkan
University of Virginia
Going into college, I was nervous about how I was going to keep my family traditions throughout the High Holidays. But I found new communities and traditions through the Hillel and Chabad that kept the high holidays meaningful for me.
Micah Baum
Tufts
I typically go to the Conservative services offered at Tufts Hillel.
I am further from home than a lot of people so I can’t really go home during the High Holidays, but it’s a welcoming place that honestly offers as good an experience as I can get away from home.
Sam Nossen
William and Mary
For me, celebrating Rosh Hashanah at school is very similar to celebrating it at home; I attend dinner at Chabad in the evening and then services in the morning. The rabbi and rebbetzin make being away from home for the holidays easier by providing me with an opportunity to eat a homecooked meal, connect with fellow Jews, and participate in something that gives me a sense of normality.
While being at school for Rosh Hashanah can’t beat being at home, having a place to go and feel welcome is nice.
Jack Gross
Tulane
During the year for Shabbat, I either go to Chabad or Hillel. Generally, for the High Holidays, I go to Hillel so I can celebrate the holidays with fellow Jewish students. Not only is it a great way to practice our religion but also an opportunity to meet other Jewish students.
I would say being at school is arguably better than being at home because it provides me with an opportunity to meet new people and gain new perspectives of how people practice Judaism. However, nothing beats sitting around a table eating a homemade Rosh Hashanah meal with family and friends.