High Holidays

The High Holidays are here and Penn State Hillel offers a variety of ways for you to participate.  We hope you will attend our prayer services (led by Rabbi Rob Gleisser and our ritual life committee) and holiday meals! Fill out the forms (one each for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) to join us!

Hillel is here for you. If you need support advocating for extensions or excusals from your professors please reach out to Rabbi Rob ([email protected]) for assistance. Please review your class syllabi for necessary information about excused absences and student support systems.  

2025-26 High Holiday Schedule

Rosh Hashanah – RSVP TODAY!
Begins sunset of Monday, September 22nd, 2025
Ends nightfall of Wednesday, September 24th, 2025

Traditionally observed as “yom tov” or “chag,” observed similarly to Shabbat.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. This year the Hebrew year will be 5785.

Yom Kippur – RSVP TODAY!
Begins sunset of Wednesday October 1st, 2025
Ends nightfall of Thursday October 2nd, 2025

The holiest day on the Jewish calendar. This day is also a yom tov in which people refrain from working. This is also a fast day, from sunset to sundown the next day.

Sukkot
Begins sunset of Monday, October 6th, 2025
Ends nightfall of Wednesday, October 15th, 2025

The first two days of the holiday are yom tov and observed similarly to Shabbat. Sukkot celebrates the harvest and during this time a Sukkah is built in which to enjoy meals.

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Begins sunset of Monday October 13th, 2025
Ends nightfall of Wednesday, October 15th, 2025

These are the two days of yom tov that conclude Sukkot. Simchat Torah is a festive holiday celebrating the conclusion and restarting of the annual Torah reading cycle.