Students from Jewish Life at SUNY Oswego shown with shofars, traditional ram-horn trumpets used at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. (Courtesy of the Jewish Life at SUNY Oswego student organization)
Two prominent Jewish holidays – Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – take place in the coming weeks. Here is more information on these observances and what’s happening on campus.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah (pronounced: Rosh ha-shah-nah) which means “Head of the Year'' is recognized as the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is a time of prayer and reflection. It begins on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 25, and ends on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 27. Based on the Gregorian calendar, its observance can happen in either September or October.
The holiday marks the beginning of a 10-day period known as Yamim Nora-im ( “Days of Awe” or “High Holidays”) and is connected with Yom Kippur (“The Day of Atonement''). The reflection often occurs at a synagogue. It is customary to eat apples dipped in honey, round challah (a braided egg bread), pomegranate, or other fruits. The apples and honey symbolize the “hope for sweetness and blessings in the year ahead.”
What’s happening on campus:
At SUNY Oswego, the Jewish Life at Oswego and Student Association of SUNY Oswego will have Rosh Hashanah services in Room 205 of Marano Campus Center:
- Day 1: Sunday, Sept. 25: 6:30 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 26: 11 a.m.
- Day 2: Monday, Sept. 26: 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 27: 11 a.m.
A Special Shofar and Tashlich Ceremony at Lake Ontario behind Johnson Hall will take place at 6 p.m. on both Monday, Sept, 26 and Tuesday, Sept. 27.
All services are followed by Kiddush and a festive meal. All students are invited to attend. Anybody with disabilities who would need assistance attending the event should email jewishlife@oswego.edu
2. In all three on-campus dining centers, local sliced apples and honey will be available from Sunday, Sept. 25 through Tuesday, Sept. 27.
To extend wishes to Jewish friends and family, say either “L’shanah tovah” or “shanah tovah.”
It is the Hebrew greeting which means “for a good year.”
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur (pronounced as “Yohm kee-poor” or “yohm kipper”) is a Jewish observance a part of the High Holidays (which includes Rosh Hashanah). It is viewed as the holiest day on the Jewish calendar and it involves fasting, prayer and repentance. Yom Kippur begins on the evening of Oct. 4 and ends on the evening of Oct. 5.
Yom Kippur is a day of abstaining to concentrate on the spiritual needs. The fasting may involve not eating or drinking but other restrictions may be considered during this time. The act of fasting is believed to cleanse the body and spirit.
What’s happening on campus:
At SUNY Oswego, the Jewish Life at Oswego and Student Association will have Yom Kippur services in Room 205 of Marano Campus Center:
Tuesday, Oct. 4
- 5 p.m.: Pre-Fast Meal at the Jewish Life 56 Franklin Avenue
- 7 p.m.: Kol Nidrei
Wednesday, Oct. 5
- 11 a.m.: Morning Service
- 6 p.m.: Closing Service
- 7:30 p.m.: Break Fast
All services are followed by Kiddush and a festive meal. All students are invited to attend. Anybody with disabilities who would need assistance attending the event can email jewishlife@oswego.edu
The SUNY Oswego community wishes those Jewish friends and family an easy fast!
SUNY Oswego policy reminder
Here is a reminder of the university's policy regarding absence from class because of religious holidays:
From the SUNY Oswego College Standards and Policies, Section Class Attendance, Subsection Absence from Class, Religious Beliefs:
“It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to make available to each student who is absent from school, because of their religious beliefs, an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study or work requirements which they may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such equivalent opportunity.”