A “home away from home” is how journalism junior Justin Polk describes celebrating Rosh Hashana, one of the holiest celebrations in the Jewish faith, at MSU Hillel.
Rosh Hashana is the first of the High Holy Days and a time that signifies the beginning of the Jewish New Year. The holiday began Sunday at sundown and will last until sundown Tuesday night.
Rosh Hashana marks the beginning of the Jewish calendar.
“It’s essentially New Year’s Day,” said Dirk Roberts, program associate at MSU Hillel. “The Erev Rosh Hashana, the eve before Rosh Hashana, (is) like Christmas Eve.”
MSU“It’s a really nice atmosphere (and) it’s a really family-oriented atmosphere,” said Polk, who also is a member of the Jewish Student Union. “Even if (you) are not able to make it home for the few days of the holiday.”
Polk, who originally is from Commerce Township, Mich., said in his three years at MSU, he has never been able to make it back to celebrate with his family.
Although the group of people he celebrates with might have changed, Polk said the meaning of the holiday is the same — it’s about sharing stories and experiences from the last before and expectations for the year to come.
Roberts said throughout the next couple of days, Hillel is providing special services, meals and gatherings for community members and students, who, like Polk, cannot go back home for the holiday. He said the services are especially important for out-of-state students and freshmen who are experiencing the holiday away from home for the first time.
“It’s a good way to connect with people of similar backgrounds to participate in the holiday (that) you would naturally participate in with your family at home,” he said.
Robyn Berkowitz, director of engagement and campus initiatives at MSU Hillel, agreed with Roberts on the importance of providing a comfortable space for all students and making sure they feel welcome at MSU, especially during the High Holy Days.
Berkowitz also said Hillel is very active, servicing about 3,500 individuals on campus, and a single Shabbat dinner will draw at least 200. She said the services provided for Rosh Hashana are of utmost importance and free to students.
“We provide services, meals (and) Jewish learning to the students who want it (and) we have two visiting rabbis who come in to lead the services,” Berkowitz said.
“It’s very important that we provide excellent and top-notch resources for people on campus.”
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