Jewish High Holidays

What's on this page?

• What are the fall Jewish holidays and how you can support and promote a more inclusive campus community 
• High Holiday events with Hillel
• High Holiday events with Chabad

Fall Jewish Holidays on campus at Stanford - 2025

Shana Tova - Happy New Year! During the fall semester, Jewish students, faculty, and staff will observe a series of holidays that mark the new year of 5786 in the Jewish calendar. Here’s how you can support them and promote a more inclusive campus community. 

1. What are the fall Jewish holidays? 

The High Holidays begin with Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year - a celebratory time with religious services and holiday meals. Yom Kippur - the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar - is a day of atonement, prayer, and reflection, during which many Jews fast and attend religious services. These are the most widely observed Jewish holidays. They are followed by Sukkot - a week-long holiday centered around a Sukkah - a temporary dwelling in which people eat meals. The first two days of Sukkot and the concluding holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are considered holy days, during which observant Jews abstain from work.  

2. How are these holidays observed?

All of these holidays begin at sundown on the first date listed and run through to sundown on the last day listed. Many Jews prepare and partake in festive meals with family and friends and attend religious services. For Yom Kippur, Jews of different observance levels will fast from sundown to sundown. Traditionally observant Jews refrain from all kinds of work (including using anything electronic, riding in cars, writing or typing) on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, the first two days of Sukkot, Simchat Torah, and Shemini Atzeret. 

3. How does this affect Stanford University?

Thousands of our community members will endeavor to balance their academic and religious obligations throughout this period. Asking for an accommodation may be one of the first interactions a student has with their professor. Before the holiday begins, many will need time to prepare; some students may return to their home communities. Common concerns include conflicts with: exam/class schedules, required meetings, social gatherings, and professional and academic opportunities (such as networking and recruitment events).  

4. How Can I Be Supportive?

Be Aware: Mark these dates on your calendar. Let students know in your syllabus and at the beginning of the semester that you are aware that some may be observing these holidays and invite them to approach you about accommodations. 

Be Inclusive: Offer holiday greetings (Shana Tova or Happy New Year). Recognize that requests from differently observant students may vary. Avoid scheduling exams, meetings, or assignments during these times. 

Be Accommodating: Understand that students may need to make alternative arrangements to turn in assignments or to fulfill class responsibilities. Faculty and staff should work with students to find accommodations if conflicts arise. 

Resources: Hillel and Chabad are campus resources for those who are seeking information or ways to celebrate the holidays. 

High Holidays 2025/57856

Celebrate High Holidays 2025/5786 with Hillel@Stanford

Hillel at Stanford offers a variety of High Holiday programs, many of these programs are open to our broader Hillel community, while others are reserved for our large and vibrant group of Jewish students on campus.

Reform and Conservative services will be combined into one joyful community with prayers in Hebrew and English and amplified musical instruments in the gorgeous Bing Concert Hall and a traditional egalitarian Rosh Hashanah second day service in Hillel’s Koret Pavilion at the Ziff Center. 

All of our programs are available at no cost for students or community members thanks to the generous support of our donors, but if you feel so inclined, you may provide an optional donation to help us continue this vital work. Check out the schedule and registration below for more information! 

Click here to RSVP for High Holiday Services with Hillel@Stanford

High Holiday Program Schedule

High Holidays 2025/57856

Celebrate High Holidays 2025/5786 with Chabad at Stanford

Orthodox services hosted by Stanford Chabad will take place at Chabad at Stanford (1289 College Ave) and Stanford's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life, check the Chabad website for more information.​ Please RSVP to confirm your attendance.

Click here to RSVP for Rosh Hashanah at Chabad 

Click here to RSVP for Yom Kippur at Chabad