The Columbia Spectator featured an op-ed yesterday by Aviva Beuchler, president of Columbia-Barnard Hillel about Rosh Hashanah choices.
Beuchler writes:
Navigating the first few days of classes is always a daunting task. Does this history class fit my schedule, or should I try to enroll in the political science class? Should I take physics or wait until next semester when the lab section has a better time slot? As everyone returns to school, the arduous search for the best schedule becomes the norm.
But in this mix, many students across campus will be making a few more decisions. Should I miss class on Thursday to go to Rosh Hashanah services? Can I take an absence at the first seminar to make it home for the holiday?
With the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah beginning on Wednesday evening, students and professors alike will be put to a test without grades, but with many challenges.[…]
Personally, I love that Rosh Hashanah coincides with the start of the school year. As a Jews, and Americans and students (and someday, parents of students), our lives are given their rhythms and cycles by three calendars. As a Jew, my year begins Wednesday night with Rosh Hashanah. As a student, my year began last week with the beginning of the semester. As a member of Western society however, my year begins in January, which is the beginning of basically nothing meaningful. So I like that the Jewish calendar and academic calendars are often in such close sync with each other.
