On Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah began. This name translates to the “head of the year,” and lasted until Sept. 17, 2023. This holiday marks the first of the Jewish High Holy Days, which is a 10-day period consisting of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar.

Rosh Hashanah is a festive holiday marking the beginning of the new year and the “birthday of the universe,” according to Chabad.com. Feasts on this day often include round challah bread and apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year. Additional Rosh Hashanah festivities include blowing a shofar, a ram’s horn, on the mornings of the holiday.

The end of the High Holy Days is marked by Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement and is revered as the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. On Yom Kippur, observing Jewish people will fast for 25 hours, which began at sundown on Sunday, Sept. 24, and lasted until nightfall on Monday, Sept. 25. Additionally, many refrain from working and driving to pray and reflect.

In many ways, the Jewish religion is based on roots of community and togetherness, and the High Holy Days are no exception. Moorpark College’s own Jewish Club refrained from taking their spot at the college’s Club Rush event on Monday to focus on the holiday.

The club participated the following Tuesday at Club Rush by hosting a table with honey cupcakes, or lekach, as a continued symbol of hopes for a sweet new year, as well as customized yarmulkes, or traditional Jewish head coverings. The club’s intent is to bring together students of all faiths interested in the Jewish religion.

Rebbetzin Devorah Heidingsfeld, who established Chabad of Moorpark alongside her husband, Rabbi Shimy Heidingsfeld, was present at the Jewish Club’s booth and works closely alongside the members of the club. Heidingsfeld raised concerns regarding the inclusivity of college events in reference to Club Rush taking place on Yom Kippur.

“It’s a big thing now that a lot of public schools now do not have school on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because there are so many Jewish students, so it’s nice to show that we respect all religions, especially since these are the two holiest days of the year,” Heidingsfeld said. “It would be nice to have more Jewish awareness on campus.”

Chabad of Moorpark hosts events regularly that are open to all people, regardless of background. On Sept. 24, 2023, Chabad of Moorpark held the first prayer service of Yom Kippur, referred to as the Kol Nidrei service.

Before the sun sets on the evening that begins Yom Kippur, Kol Nidrei is recited, a communal prayer service chanted three times preceding the Maariv Service for Yom Kippur Eve.

Rabbi Shimy led Kol Nidrei and shared sentiments about the tradition.

“Every holiday is its own special tune,” Rabbi Shimy said. “Kol Nidrei is a powerful and beautiful melody.”

Following Kol Nidrei, Ma’ariv is begun, which is a service resembling that of a regular festival, but with the addition of important verses, blessings, prayers and tunes. Throughout this service, the aron kodesh, or “holy ark,” where the Torah scrolls are kept is opened and closed several times. With each opening of the Ark, the congregation stands.

When asked why the assembly is to stand each time the Ark is opened, Rabbi Shimy offered a beautiful explanation to the congregation.

“When opportunity knocks, we answer,” Rabbi Shimy shared. “We won’t miss the next door that opens for us. We will be ready to jump.”

The evening services ushering in Yom Kippur are engaging and beautiful, leading the congregation into the Day of Atonement.

These holidays are of great importance to the Jewish community, and signify, as Chabad of Moorpark’s website aptly states, “A delicate blend of joy and solemnity.”

Shira Greenbaum, a second-year student at Moorpark College, explained the importance of having inclusive spaces not just during the High Holy Days, but at all times.

“It’s important, especially for a small school like Moorpark, to have a community to meet people you relate to and be able to connect and talk with them,” Greenbaum said. “I’m from Israel and being Jewish is a big part of my identity, so meeting other people who come from different places and different backgrounds is really important.”

As the High Holy Days have come and gone, Moorpark College has taken to social media to wish their Jewish community a meaningful holiday.

“Wishing all our friends and family who celebrate a Sweet and Happy New Year!” stated Moorpark College.

The increasing involvement of the Jewish community at Moorpark College through organizations like the Jewish Club and Chabad of Moorpark helps to foster a sense of unity that is pivotal during important religious holidays such as the High Holy Days.