Rosh Hashanah, meaning ‘head of the year’ in Hebrew, is the celebration of the Jewish New Year. The first of the High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2, and is celebrated until the evening of Friday, October 4. As one of Judaism’s holiest days, Rosh Hashanah is a time when work is traditionally forbidden. Instead, many Jews attend services at synagogue; eat symbolic foods such as apples and honey, honey cake, and round challah; and listen to the symbolic blast of the ‘shofar,’ a hollowed-out ram’s horn. Rosh Hashanah is also a time to reflect on the past year and intentions for the future. You may wish someone a happy Rosh Hashanah by saying, “Shanah tovah,” which means “good year,” or “Chag sameach,” which means “happy holiday.”
Yom Kippur, or ‘day of Atonement,’ always falls ten days after Rosh Hashanah. This year, it begins at sundown on Friday, October 11 and ends at sundown the following evening, Saturday, October 12. Yom Kippur is a somber holiday, and the holiest day of the year. This is a time when people fast for 25 hours, refrain from work, and attend services to atone for any wrongdoing in the past year. You may wish someone an easy fast on Yom Kippur, or say “G’mar chatimah tovah.”
Scroll down to learn about UW–Madison academic policy, services, and more campus and community resources.
Academic policies for students and fac/staff
Existing policy and Academic Calendar guidance on Religious Observances note that:
- Instructors should not schedule exams and other mandatory academic requirements on days when religious observances may cause substantial student absences. A non-exhaustive list of cultural, religious, and ethnic holidays is provided by the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty. Additional observances may exist that are not included on this list.
- Students should notify the course instructor within the first two weeks of the semester/term of the specific dates conflicting with an exam or assignment.
- Per policy, any student with a conflict between an academic requirement and any religious observance must be given an alternative for meeting the academic requirement.
- Instructors received this memo at the start of the academic year regarding religious observances.
Students can use this template to connect with professors to request flexibility on classwork or evening exams.
From a student:
Sometimes it can be hard when the High Holidays fall early on in the school year. Classes are in full swing, campus is buzzing, and people don’t think about these holidays when they’re scheduling events or exams. But Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the holiest days of the entire year in Judaism, so try to schedule around them if you can, or please be understanding of us missing things if you can’t.
Services and Meals:
Open to students, faculty, and staff
Hillel and Chabad host erev and day-of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, tashlich, and meals open to students, faculty, and staff. You can learn more on their websites and social media. RSVP to Hillel here and to Chabad here.