Holidays

High Holy Days

Sukkot

Simchat Torah

Chanukah

Purim

Passover

The University of Arizona Hillel Foundation strives to offer quality holiday programming for students. Below, you will find information about celebrating holidays at the UA. For more information about holidays in general, please visit the Jewish Virtual Library’s holiday page.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Not going home for the High Holy Days? The UA Hillel proudly offers two service options for our community. Reform and Conservative services are held on campus for both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. If you would prefer to attend an Orthodox service, please contact one of the Kedma co-chairs, Ari Daniels or Alex Hecht.

For this year’s schedule, check out our event calendar. All services are free for full-time students. Suggested minimum donation for community members is $100. Please come by and pick up a ticket from the front desk or contact Charae Stewart, Office Manager, for more information.

The Arizona Board of Regents policy states that "Administrators and faculty members are expected to reasonably accommodate individual religious practices. A refusal to accommodate is justified only when undue hardship would result from each available alternative of reasonable accommodation." If you have an issue, we recommend that you first speak with the teacher, then to the department head, then contact  Michelle at Hillel.

Sukkot

The UA Hillel sukkah is constructed on the Oy Vey Cafe patio and students are encouraged to come by and eat meals, study or attend programs in it. Please check our event calendar for a full listing of programs during the week of Sukkot.

Simchat Torah

The UA Hillel encourages students to attend Simchat Torah services at one of the local synagogues. If you need information about where Simchat Torah services will be held, please contact the Hillel staff.

Chanukah

Depending on when Chanukah falls during the academic calendar, the UA Hillel may or may not provide holiday programming. Typically, we host several candle lightings around campus and a big Chanukah party complete with homemade latkes. Please check the event calendar to see what we’re doing for Chanukah this year!

Purim

Purim programming is also dependant upon the academic calendar. Sometimes Purim falls during the UA spring break. If Purim falls when school is in session, we typically host a megillah reading and/or a Purim party. Please check the event calendar to see what we’re doing for Purim this year!

Passover

Passover is another holiday that may fall during the UA spring break. If school is in session during Passover, the UA Hillel has many options for students who remain in Tucson for the holiday. On the first night of Passover, several community members open their homes to students who want to attend a family-style seder. If you are interested in joining a Tucson family for the first night seder, click on home hospitality at least one week before the holiday. If you are a family interested in hosting, please click here. Hillel's second night seder will be held at Hillel--click on second night seder to register.

There are other seder options for students on campus. Please check our event calendar to see when and where you can find a seder.

The Oy Vey Café remains open during the intermediate days of Passover and will be serving kosher for Passover meals during breakfast and lunch hours. For more information about kosher for Passover dining at the Oy Vey, click here.