“In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and you shall

not do any work … For on that day he shall provide atonement for you to cleanse you from all

your sins before the LORD.” -Leviticus 16:29-30

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are considered to be among the most significant holidays in Judaism. Rosh Hashanah, which takes place Sep. 13 through 15, is the Jewish New Year. According to Sanford Kessler, associate professor in public and international affairs, Rosh Hashanah is the time period when God judges people as individuals.

“It is like he has a book in front of him and he totes up our good deeds and our bad deeds and he renders judgment on us,” Kessler said. “The space between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time when we can repent for our sins…We are written in the ‘book of life’ as it’s called on Rosh Hashanah but we are not signed and sealed in the book until Yom Kippur, which comes 10 days later.”

Yom Kippur, which takes place Sept. 22, is the Day of Atonement.

“A lot of the prayers for the holidays ask for forgiveness for sins and hope that we will be inscribed in the book of life,” Kessler said. “It’s a very reflective time because people, if they take the holiday seriously, think about their past year and the good things they’ve done and the bad things they’ve done and the year to come. It’s, in a way, like making New Year’s resolutions. They think … ‘Okay if we get a good judgment, if our slate is wiped clean at the end of this year, what can we do for the sake of the good in the coming year that will make our status on judgment day better?'”

Although Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are perceived and observed with solemnity, merriment follows closely after.

“Both of the holidays are a combination of great seriousness but they’re also times of celebration as well,” Kessler said.

As aforementioned, Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. On this day, the shofar , a ram’s horn, is sounded off in the synagogue. Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath. During this day, a 25-hour fast takes place, which begins before sunset the evening before Yom Kippur and ends after nightfall on the day of the holiday. Restrictions to this include women who are pregnant and children under the age of nine. If someone is ill, they are advised to ask a Rabbi, as well as a physician, for advice.

 For both holidays, no work can be done. Most of the day is spent in a synagogue in prayer.

 ”Tradition for Rosh Hashanah is eating apples and honey to represent a sweet new year,” Jodie Joseph, senior in animal science and an officer for Hillel, the University’s Jewish student organization, said. “And you say, ‘Shanah tovah ,’ which means ‘happy new year,'” Joseph said.

The Jewish community on campus may not constitute an immense audience, but the community strives to uphold its religious traditions and cultures.

According to Sarah Mazur, senior in accounting and president of Hillel, there are currently about 250 Jewish students on campus; approximately 40 these students are active members.

Many school breaks organized are around Christian holidays like Easter and Christmas but the Jewish holidays do not always fall within these breaks, so some students have to miss class. However, Yom Kippur is during fall break.

“Most teachers are willing to work with students to allow us to miss class and make up anything we miss, including tests,” Mazur said. “I have been fortunate to have teachers that realize the importance of these holidays, especially the High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur).”

However, whether a student or professor chooses to take off classes and rest remains largely a choice left up to the individual.

Whereas Kessler cancels his lectures on Rosh Hashanah, Jodie Joseph does not typically take off class, claiming her classes are too rigorous and for fear she would fall behind.

Students keep up with the traditions and practices of the religion in other ways as well.

“We host a Shabbat dinner and student-led service on campus about two Fridays each month,” Mazur said. “On off weeks, some students will go to a service at Chapel Hill or go to a local synagogue. We also have special events for other Jewish holidays such as a Hanukkah party, Purim party and Passover Seder each year.”

As one of a handful of Jewish students on campus, Mazur maintains her devotion to the faith through different outlets.

“The best way to stay devoted to my culture is to share it with the people close to me, such as my roommate, who has been born and raised in Sanford, N.C. and never been exposed to Judaism,” Mazur said. “In addition, I am part of the leadership of Hillel, the only Jewish student organization on campus.”

One can be Jewish either by birth or by converting to the religion. According to Kessler, Judaism is unique in that there is a sense of community and ethnic identity but a religion at the same time.