A Season of Learning

Hello all,

We are living in troubled times. And although that is usually the human condition, our American peace, prosperity, and civil society feels more precarious to me right now. And infinitely more precious as well.

We can feel an instinct to withdraw into calmer waters in these moments, but that's not what a commitment to an equitable and inclusive university requires. It requires us to remain open to dialogue and learning and growing together.

I'm offering one such opportunity here, to focus on supporting respect and consideration for everyone celebrating the many different religious holidays that the fall and winter season brings.

Right now, we have entered the new year season in the Jewish calendar and I plan to learn more about these holidays this year. Being a strong ally for my religious Jewish family members, colleagues, students, friends, and community members requires me to gain more knowledge.

I encourage you all to learn along with me.

Or if you are Jewish yourself and feel comfortable sharing- perhaps this could be a moment for you to help someone else move further along the ally journey?

From the Jewish Holiday's of 2025 Chabad calendar online website we learn that:

"Rosh Hashanah, begins sunset of Monday, September 22, 2025, and ends nightfall of Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

Rosh Hashanah, first of the High Holidays, is the Jewish New Year. It is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, and a day of judgment and coronation of G-d as king."

Yom Kippur, begins sunset of Wednesday, October 1, 2025, and ends nightfall of Thursday, October 2, 2025

Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, when we fast, pray, seek forgiveness from G-d and our fellows, and come closer to G-d. It is the peak of the High Holidays."

This fall I plan to include information about more religious holidays in my posts- and I would love to have help doing this. So call or email if you have an interest in spotlighting anything specific and we can work on that together.

All the best,
Holly