September is certainly a busy and exciting month as the school year begins. It is also a time for significant religious traditions and cultural observances for many members in our community.

On September 4-6, Jewish community members honored the days of Rosh Hashanah. Today also marks the start of Yom Kippur observances. Together, these are considered to be the Jewish High Holy Days, or the Days of Awe. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, which falls in the month of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Tishrei is believed to be the month in which God created the world, and Jewish people observe this time in self-examination, reflection, and repentance, or teshuvah. It is also a time of great hope and spiritual renewal, and making peace in the community.

Yom Kippur falls 10 days after Rosh Hashanah, and is known as the Day of Atonement. It is believed that Yom Kippur is the day when God decides the fate of each human being. The day is marked with services, prayers, fasting, forgiveness and reconciliation, and teshuvah, or repentance, in order to draw closer to one another and to God. These observances of these High Holy Days begin at sundown on September 4 and September 13.

September 22 marks the day known as the Autumnal Equinox (northern hemisphere), when the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are nearly equal, about 12 hours. In Wiccan/Pagan traditions, this day is also known as Mabon, and is celebrated as a festival of the mid-harvest. Time is taken to honor the changing of the seasons, and giving thanks for the abundance of the harvest. To celebrate, observers of Mabon gather together to prepare foods that honor the hearth and the gifts of the earth. Celebrations and rituals include the telling of stories, saying prayers, giving thanks, meditations, singing songs, and honoring the blessings of the earth, while staying mindful of the significance of the balance of light and dark in our lives.

Academic Dean Greg Tuleja and the faculty understand that the fall religious holidays will mean that some students will miss classes and may be unable to do academic work for several days. Faculty will be flexible in giving deadline extensions and rescheduling tests when reasonable accommodations would benefit students. Families should contact the Dean of Student’s Office with any questions about religious holidays and observances during the school year.