During the month of September, two of the holiest days in the religion of Judaism occur.
The first is Rosh Hashana, which starts on Sept. 6 and goes through Sept. 8. Rosh Hashana is more commonly known as the Jewish new year but also celebrates the creation of the world. This holiday is a period of self-reflection for practicing Jews.
A ram’s horn is blown during the synagogue service to signal the start of the self-reflection and prayer period. Jews also eat apples and honey in hopes that their new year will be sweet and fruitful.
The second is Yom Kippur which occurs on Sept. 15 and 16. Yom Kippur is the day of atonement and is often considered the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. It is a solemn day of reflection and prayer. These prayers typically center on forgiveness, confession, repentance and making peace with others.
Because Yom Kippur is such a holy day, the Jewish synagogue offers five prayer services where the congregation confesses their sins collectively. Practicing Jews fast from dawn until dusk with the exception of the elderly, young children and mothers who recently gave birth. They also participate in absolutely no work, which includes daily tasks like shaving and bathing. Orthodox Jews abstain from intimacy, and males wear white shirts.
Winthrop strives to be an inclusive campus that is supportive and respects all students’ and staff’s religions. However, these Jewish holidays are not days off on this year’s academic calendar.
“The academic calendar is not built around religious holidays,” said Leigh Crain, assistant to the chief of staff for the board of trustees. “It is built around state holidays as well as the need to fulfill required days/hours for each university course.”
All schools are required to have certain holidays as days off under state law. These holidays are New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, as well as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas.
While Winthrop professors are supportive of all of their students’ religions, they cannot suspend class.
“My own approach to this issue is that I don’t think I can automatically suspend work and classes for every religious holiday,” said Kristin Kiblinger, professor of religious studies. “There are too many, and I feel obligated to follow the calendar that is published by the University Registrar.”
Both the board of trustees and professors encourage students to reach out to them if they need to turn in work late or miss class due to religious reasons.
“If a student requests flexibility with work or attendance in my class in order to accommodate religious practice, I will certainly grant that flexibility and respect all religions,” Kiblinger said.
All Winthrop students are encouraged to learn about different cultures and religions and the month of September would be the perfect time to expand your knowledge on the different Jewish holidays and the practices associated with them.
