UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 3, Page 8
September 16, 1993
Diversity
Jewish community celebrates new year

     Rabbi Stephen Booth, director of Hillel, reminds us that Jewish life
is about cycles. At the end of the summer, when the leaves begin to fall,
Jews celebrate the death of the past cycle and the birth of the next one
with a new year celebration called Rosh Hashanah, "The Head of the Year."
     Over a 10-day period at this time, Jewish people engage in a period of
inner reflection. Rosh Hashanah this year starts at sundown Sept. 15 and
ends on Sept. 17. During the following week, according to Booth, Jewish
people "do our final personal and interpersonal work. Many Jews make
contact with people they may have wronged or with whom relations are not
what they should be, and make a sincere attempt to set things straight."
     Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Friday, Sept. 24. This is a 24-hour
period of fasting and prayer, a time of communion with God. Hillel will
sponsor a "break-fast" meal, and after that there will be a short evening
of introductory Israeli folk-dancing to celebrate the new year.
     Rabbi Booth encourages interested persons to call Hillel at 453-0479
for further information about the High Holiday season and the events to be
sponsored on campus.