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.  

2024-25 High Holiday Schedule

Rosh Hashanah – RSVP TODAY!
Begins sunset of Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024
Ends nightfall of Friday, October 4th, 2024
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 Friday October 11th, 2024
Ends nightfall of Saturday October 12th, 2024
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 Wednesday, October 16th, 2024
Ends nightfall of Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024
The first two days of the holiday are yom tov and observed similarly to Shabbat. Sukkot celebrates the harvest and during this time a hut is built in which to enjoy meals.

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Begins sunset of Wednesday October 23rd, 2024
Ends nightfall of Friday, October 25th, 2024