Dear Members of the Barnard Community,
Next week is the start of the Jewish High Holidays, beginning with Rosh Hashanah, a celebration of the Jewish New Year, followed by Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement and the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Jewish members of our community celebrate these holidays in different ways, and we are grateful for the opportunity to mark these religious traditions together.
The High Holidays are a period for prayer and introspection as well as a time for hope and renewal. Communal gatherings occur at places of worship or festive holiday meals. Across all faiths, holiday seasons are powerful moments to reflect on the past, heal, and work toward a better future. We all have a responsibility to care for one another. This is especially true right now.
Key dates during the Jewish Fall 2024 holiday season are as follows:
- Rosh Hashanah - from sunset Wednesday, October 2 to nightfall Friday, October 4
- Yom Kippur - from sunset Friday, October 11 to nightfall Saturday, October 12
- Sukkot (first and second days) - from sunset Wednesday, October 16 to nightfall Friday, October 18
- Shemini Atzeret - from sunset Wednesday, October 23 to nightfall Thursday, October 24
- Simchat Torah - from sunset Thursday, October 24 to nightfall Friday, October 25
Resources
Our Religious and Spiritual Resources page includes a Religious Holiday Calendar, which can be added to your own Google Calendar. We encourage everyone to consult this calendar when scheduling events. For questions about religious identity, practice, and experience at Barnard, please email dei@barnard.edu.
Faculty and Administrators
Many observant Jewish students are prohibited from attending class or doing coursework during these holidays; some religious traditions also preclude the use of electronics. If faculty members need assistance or have questions about any students in their classes, they may contact the student’s Class Dean. For specific inquiries about the Jewish holidays, please reach out to Rabbi Yonah Hain at rabbi@columbia.edu.
Students
Those seeking religious accommodations for their observation of the holidays should contact their professors as soon as possible. Students are responsible for making up their work and preparing for the next session. Class Deans can offer support and guidance to anyone who encounters difficulties completing assignments. For questions about the Jewish holidays and religious accommodations, students can reach out to Rabbi Hain at rabbi@columbia.edu.
Dining
Please visit https://dineoncampus.com/barnard for the Barnard Kosher at Hewitt Dining schedule and to sign up for meals.
Programming
Barnard and Columbia offer many ways to celebrate these holidays. Holiday meals, prayer services, community service opportunities, and other holiday-centered experiences are open to all students. Information about these offerings can be found at the Kraft Center and Chabad at Columbia.
To all celebrating, we wish you l’shanah tova, a happy and healthy new year.
Sincerely,
Leslie Grinage
Dean of the College
Vice President for Campus Life and Student Experience
Joanne Delgadillo
Interim Title IX Coordinator
Chief of Staff, Diversity Equity & Inclusion