High Holidays will be celebrated this year in an unusual way due to the COVID-19 pandemic. // Photo courtesy of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a halt on large social gatherings across New York, including religious services. With the Jewish High Holidays approaching in the next few weeks, Hofstra students have had to find new ways to observe Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 18-20) and Yom Kippur (Sept. 27-28) while maintaining social distancing and upholding COVID-19 safety protocols.
“For the first time ever, people can’t gather for a Jewish holiday,” said Hannah Lovitt, a sophomore drama major. “It makes me sad because so much of Judaism revolves around community. Even though we’re adapting to learning how to have communities online, it’s a really big adjustment considering the fact that so many Jewish events take place in large groups.”
Hofstra Hillel has been working to connect students to services and programming for the High Holidays.
“Because of COVID, most things are virtual unless you are a more traditional or orthodox student,” said Hadas Hayun, Hofstra Hillel’s Communications and Engagement Coordinator. “[For] students who practice more Reform or Conservative Judaism, virtual services [are] an option for them.”
Hillel International will be hosting virtual programming for both of these holidays. Some of the programs will feature celebrity guests, like Tony Award-winning actor [PF1] Adam Kantor.
“It honestly does sound super cool,” Hayun said. “To have all these learning sessions and singing events online with all these famous people is a super cool opportunity.” She said the pandemic has made this type of celebrity-filled virtual programming possible, and points to it as a plus side of holding events virtually.
“It is a positive side to have everything virtual – to be able to connect to these really amazing people and other students across the country as well,” Hayun said. She hopes students will be able to take away something positive from the unique experience of observing the High Holidays differently this year.
Hofstra Hillel has been trying to accommodate more traditionally observant students by finding them in-person services at nearby synagogues. Some of these students do not use technology throughout the duration of major Jewish holidays, so virtual programs are not an option for them. Hillel International’s virtual programming is only an option for more Reform or Conservative Jewish students.
“It has been a little bit difficult, I think,” Hayun said. She added that it has been a challenge to find a synagogue with enough vacancy to safely host Hofstra students during the High Holidays.
“On top of the members that are already attending those synagogues, it has been a little bit harder [for them] to take in people from outside,” Hayun said.[PF2]
The students who plan to attend services in-person this year are curious about how these services will work with COVID-19 preventative protocols in place and the changes that will be made to many of the traditional activities.
“I believe there will not be singing,” said Samantha Meltzer, President of Hofstra Hillel. “Because of this, services will probably be a lot shorter.” Meltzer plans to attend in-person services nearby with Hofstra Hillel for the High Holidays.
Students who are interested in Hillel International’s virtual High Holiday programming can sign up at higherholidays.org
