Students celebrate Yom Kippur

KELLY MCKINNELL/Daily A student prays at Yom Kippur services last night at Hillel on Washtenaw Avenue.

By Nick Falzone
For the Daily

For many people of Jewish faith around the world, today is a time for fasting and reflection. Jewish students on campus plan to do the same as they attend services to celebrate Yom Kippur.

"Yom Kippur is a time when we give ourselves to God," said Alter Goldstein, a rabbi at the Chabad House. "We hope, during this time, he will give us what we need for the next year."

The holiday began yesterday at sundown with the first of four services and the start of a 25-hour fast. The fast ends today at sundown with the fourth service, the climax of the holiday, when Jews eat the break-the-fast meal.

During the fast, Jews are not allowed to eat or drink anything, including water. Although this may seem difficult, many students said they find it essential to the holiday.

"When I get hungry, I watch TV, hang out with friends, or prepare the break-the-fast," LSA junior Stacey Ehrenberg said. "I think about the good and bad things I've done."

LSA sophomore Esther Nelson said she has not fasted in the past few years but plans on doing it this year.

"I haven't been as religious since I've been in school," Nelson said. "I'm hoping it will be a reminder to help me get back into things."

Others students said fasting is not as important as other aspects of the holiday.

"I'm not going to fast," said Rachel Abramson, a resident physician at University Hospitals. "I feel the most essential part of Yom Kippur is the review of your life, over the past year in particular."

Although there are more than 6,000 Jewish students at the University, most professors will still hold scheduled classes. It is University policy, however, that students are excused from classes on religious holidays.

"I'm going to class tomorrow," said LSA junior Julie Marx. "But I'm going to fast, too. It's important to do it and cleanse your body of its sins."

But many students said they plan to spend today in the synagogue, praying and contemplating.

"It's not difficult, taking time to go to services," Sherman said. "I consider it important."

Nelson also said she plans to attend services. "I am going to reflect on the past year, what I could have done better, which people I could have treated better."

Though Yom Kippur is a time for quiet reflection, Goldstein said he believes it is also a time when God is trying to give Jews opportunities.

"God wants to give us a good year and he wants to see our effort during Yom Kippur."

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