Jewish Holidays Fall 2024 Information Sheet

Details and Dates

The Fall semester coincides with the Jewish high holidays, which are centered around the Jewish New Year. There are a number of holidays during this season, and Jewish students observe these days in a range of ways that reflects the diversity of the community. For some Jewish students, this a deeply spiritual month that is marked by special observances such as fasting, elongated prayer services, and ritual meals. For others, this is a period for family to reconnect over their faith-based traditions. Lastly, some Jewish students opt not to participate in these holidays. Given the variety of Jewish practice, it is our goal to respect the full range of expressions of religious and spiritual life. 

The key dates during the Jewish Fall 2024 holiday season are as follows:

• Rosh Hashanah – Wednesday evening, October 2 through Saturday night, October 5
• Yom Kippur – Friday evening, October 11 through Saturday night, October 12
• Sukkot (1^st Days) – Wednesday evening, October 16 through Saturday night, October 19
• Sukkot (2^nd Days) – Wednesday evening, October 23 through Saturday night, October 26
  • The 2^nd Days of Sukkot, specifically Oct. 24^th, marks one year on the Jewish calendar since the October 7^th attacks. Please be aware that certain Jewish students may be particularly impacted by the occasion and may have lost family and friends.

For Administration and Faculty

• Many observant Jewish students are prohibited from attending class or doing coursework during these specific holidays; some religious practices also preclude using electronics – phones, transportation and computers – during these times. 
• The Office of Religious Life ([email protected]) is available to support faculty and administrators with any questions or issues that may arise. Our Dean of Religious Life, Ian Rottenberg ([email protected]), and our Campus Rabbi, Yonah Hain ([email protected]), can be contacted directly to assist faculty who receive requests for accommodations. 

For Students 

• Students should review their class schedule, course syllabus, and the Jewish calendar. Students seeking religious accommodations should contact their professors as soon as possible. 
• While these dates are excused religious absences, students are responsible to make up their work and be prepared for the next session.
• For questions about Jewish holidays or religious accommodations, please contact Rabbi Yonah Hain.

Jewish life on campus offers many ways to celebrate these holidays. The holiday meals, prayer services, community service opportunities, and other holiday-themed experiences are open to all students. Information about many of these offerings can be found at the Kraft Center, as well as Chabad at Columbia.

We wish all who are observing a shanah tovah, a happy and healthy new year.

Jewish Holidays 2024 Information Sheet.