When a rabbi was unable to perform Rosh Hashana services last year, MSU student Jordan Helfman spent the next five days preparing to fill his shoes.

Helfman's help was needed again during this year's services at the Lester J. Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center playing the shofar - a traditional Jewish instrument made out of a hollowed ram's horn - after another student rabbi had difficulty playing the instrument.

Helfman, who is a New Jersey resident, said Hillel, located at 360 Charles St., provided him with a place to celebrate his faith while away from home.

"When I came here I didn't know anyone, but by going to Hillel for services and meals, I've made more friends," he said.

The center will provide services and meals for members who might not be able to spend the holiday with family but want to observe Rosh Hashana, the new year for the Jewish community. This is the 5,766 Jewish new year.

After services, which began at sunset on Monday and are held each of the two nights of Rosh Hashana, a traditional meal with foods such as chicken, apples with honey and a sweet cake called challah are served to represent the sweetness of the new year.

When Helfman sounds the shofar during the many Rosh Hashana services, the ritual will celebrate the beginning of the two-day holiday, said Jonathan Sadoff, visiting student rabbi for Hillel's Rosh Hashana services this year.

"The blowing of the shofar is a call of awakening," he said. "The loudness of it makes your being quiet. It's more what it does than what it sounds like - it's worth hearing."

Sadoff, who is a rabbinical student at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, will be at Hillel for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services to be held next week. He said he was excited to be invited to spend his holiday among students.

"Often times, they don't get the type of attention from elders in the community that they deserve," he said. "Religiously, it is one of the important things we can do. To reach out to young people to try to make the connection, even if it's once a year, I think it is very important."

Many students go home for the holiday, but Hillel tries to provide for those, like Helfman, who are unable to do so, said Cindy Hughey, executive director for Hillel.

"It's a very religious holiday so a lot of them like to be with their family," she said.

Although Hillel offers Rosh Hashana services for students to celebrate with their peers, some choose to observe the holiday in a more traditional setting.

Rabbi Michael Zimmerman of Kehillat Israel Congregation, 2014 Forest Road in Lansing, said students should feel comfortable choosing where and how they celebrate.

"Students have all different needs," he said. "Some students perhaps want to be with their peers, but those who want to be with all ages and have the family feel are welcome here. There are several days to Rosh Hashana; they can try different things."

Helfman said that he felt honored to participate in Rosh Hashana services because the holiday represents a fresh start.

"The melody you hear (at services) you only hear one time of the year," he said. "It's a sweet new year and an exciting time."

Maggie Lillis can be reached at lillisma@msu.edu.