2008 Woodie Awards
Lawrence students celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan
Liz Tubman
Issue date: 10/7/05 Section: News
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This week, people around the world observed and celebrated Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan, two holidays with special significance for Jewish and Muslim students on campus. Despite being away from family and friends, students still managed to celebrate and remain true to their faiths during these meaningful times.
The Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah was celebrated on Tuesday, October 4. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. The holiday's name means "head of the year" in Hebrew. The Jewish calendar begins in autumn and is based on the phases of the moon, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is used by much of the Western world.
"Rosh Hashanah is a happy time of celebration," said Claire Weiss, a member of the Jewish student organization Hillel. Rosh Hashanah is part of the "High Holidays," and is celebrated in conjunction with Yom Kippur on October 13. Yom Kippur, which translates as "Day of Atonement," is a much more solemn occasion. During this time, people atone for the sins of the past year through fasting.
Rosh Hashanah is an important symbolic tradition in the Jewish faith. Along with Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah is one of the most important holidays of the entire year, analogous with Christmas in terms of importance and significance.
"It's hard when you're away from home in a different place," remarked Weiss. Despite having to celebrate away from the familiarity of home and family, members of Hillel enjoyed the festivities together, attending services in celebration of the new year. Students will also "break the fast" together after Yom Kippur is over. Hillel, which is open to Jews and gentiles alike, often provides opportunities to celebrate Jewish events and activities, with Friday-night meetings to celebrate the Sabbath, rides to local synagogues, and campus programs around Jewish holidays.
October is also a significant time for Muslims, who are observing Ramadan this month. Ramadan is a holy month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims traditionally fast from sunrise to sunset. They try to be more disciplined with themselves during this holy time and are a little stricter with their everyday behavior. Ramadan is considered holy because the Quran is thought to have been revealed by God during this month.
The Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah was celebrated on Tuesday, October 4. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. The holiday's name means "head of the year" in Hebrew. The Jewish calendar begins in autumn and is based on the phases of the moon, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is used by much of the Western world.
"Rosh Hashanah is a happy time of celebration," said Claire Weiss, a member of the Jewish student organization Hillel. Rosh Hashanah is part of the "High Holidays," and is celebrated in conjunction with Yom Kippur on October 13. Yom Kippur, which translates as "Day of Atonement," is a much more solemn occasion. During this time, people atone for the sins of the past year through fasting.
Rosh Hashanah is an important symbolic tradition in the Jewish faith. Along with Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah is one of the most important holidays of the entire year, analogous with Christmas in terms of importance and significance.
"It's hard when you're away from home in a different place," remarked Weiss. Despite having to celebrate away from the familiarity of home and family, members of Hillel enjoyed the festivities together, attending services in celebration of the new year. Students will also "break the fast" together after Yom Kippur is over. Hillel, which is open to Jews and gentiles alike, often provides opportunities to celebrate Jewish events and activities, with Friday-night meetings to celebrate the Sabbath, rides to local synagogues, and campus programs around Jewish holidays.
October is also a significant time for Muslims, who are observing Ramadan this month. Ramadan is a holy month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims traditionally fast from sunrise to sunset. They try to be more disciplined with themselves during this holy time and are a little stricter with their everyday behavior. Ramadan is considered holy because the Quran is thought to have been revealed by God during this month.