At Vanderbilt Hillel, Rosh Hashanah begins during FYSH Fest, the pre-orientation program that welcomed more than 100 first-year students, representing one-third of the Jewish Class of 2030. Hillel staff and student leaders brought the spirit of the holiday to the heart of campus, tabling with apples and honey and inviting students to explore the many ways they could celebrate Rosh Hashanah with the Hillel community, including the popular “Rosh Hashanah Seder” experience.
“The vision behind our Rosh Hashanah seder is to create opportunities for students to experience the themes and traditions of the holiday through food and ritual, much like a Passover seder,” said Ari Dubin, executive director of Vanderbilt Hillel. “We know not everyone is going to be focused on attending services for the High Holidays, so we want to create meaningful ways for them to still access and experience the holiday. For us, it’s about being creative in how we connect with students and meeting them where they are.”
This commitment to accessibility and creativity has been at the heart of Hillel’s Rosh Hashanah programming for the past 13 years. While the tradition of the Rosh Hashanah seder has remained, the experience continues to evolve.
“What’s special is that the seder continues to change and evolve with each new group of students. Every year, students help shape the experience to reflect the needs, interests, and culture of our campus community,” said Sydney Harlow, assistant executive director of Vanderbilt Hillel.
This year, that evolution meant bringing Rosh Hashanah directly to where students already gather.
“We’re putting a special focus on creating Rosh Hashanah experiences for unique student communities, such as hosting seders for Greek organizations, the Vanderbilt performing arts community, graduate student clubs, and even a sports club to make the holiday accessible and meaningful to students in the places and spaces where they’re already gathering,” said Jordan Davidson, Springboard Ezra fellow at Vanderbilt Hillel.
Kappa Deltea Rosh Hashanah Seder with Vanderbilt Hillel.
This year, Vanderbilt Hillel welcomed Rabbi Rob Friedman, an alumni from the Class of 2012 and current board member, to lead Rosh Hashanah services.
“One of the first ways I got involved in Hillel as a student was by leading services, and I very much remember how impactful it was that we had a Rabbi come lead High Holiday services, and how great it felt to help lead services,” said Friedman. “As an alumnus and as a board member, it is incredibly important to me that Hillel is doing the work to provide religious services for the students and making sure those needs are met. Getting to be the Rabbi who is brought in is such a joy and honor.”
For students, these opportunities can make the High Holidays feel more welcoming and provide a meaningful connection to Jewish life while they are away from home. Brandon Buchalter, Class of 2028, has experienced that through Hillel’s holiday programming and its support of the AEPi Rosh Hashanah Seder.
“I'm very grateful that Vandy Hillel supports AEPi's Rosh Hashanah Seder as it brings such a special holiday to my brothers who have a wide range of Jewish experiences. I'm thankful that I have such an incredible space where I can connect with Rosh Hashanah away from home,” said Buchalter.
For Abby Hafner, Class of 2027, the holiday is also about the joy of gathering with friends, sharing a meal, and creating new traditions together.
“Rosh Hashanah at Vanderbilt Hillel is always such an amazing time of the year! The staff always set us up with great meals, and I’m especially looking forward to the ADPI Seder this year with Hillel,” said Hafner.
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