Elon University’s Jewish community is preparing to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, despite falling during the university’s Fall Break for the first time in almost 10 years.
Rabbi Mendy Minkowitz, director of Elon Chabad, said the usually large turnout for this holiday will be “much smaller this year” due to many students being away for fall break.
Yom Kippur begins Friday, Oct. 11, at sundown and ends Saturday, Oct. 12, at sunset. In the Jewish community, it is a day marked by fasting, prayer and reflection.
On Oct. 11, Elon University’s Hillel will be kicking off the holiday with a final meal before fast begins at 5:30 p.m. Both Hillel and Chabad will host Kol Nidre services later that evening.
Oct. 12 marks the longest day of Yom Kippur, filled with prayer services (Yizkor and Havdalah) starting at 10 a.m. and ceremonious breaking of the fast meals at 7:15 p.m. held by both Jewish life organizations.
“We're going to have break fast, which we normally like to keep it light because after a full day of fasting, you're not ready to tackle a steak,” Minkowitz said. “We have the iconic bagel, cream cheese and lox – like the Jewish hallmark food.”
Rabbi Maor Greene, associate chaplain for Jewish life at Elon, noted that while fasting is a central tradition, students with health concerns are encouraged not to fast.
Greene also emphasized the emotional weight this year’s Yom Kippur holds for many students.
“This is a day of self-reflection, asking yourself, ‘Am I becoming the person I want to be?’” Greene said. “This year, with everything happening in Israel and the rise of antisemitism, that question feels even more personal.”
For many in Elon’s Jewish community, this year’s observance comes at a time of heightened emotions. Minkowitz noted a significant increase in participation at Jewish events since the attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
“It became sort of like a wake up call: I need to participate because this is who I am and this is who they hate me for, so I might as well embrace it,” Minkowitz said.
As the Jewish community at Elon prepares to observe Yom Kippur, they do so with a mix of solemnity and hope — reflecting on the challenges of the past year while looking ahead to the possibility of growth and renewal.
“Yom Kippur is a very somber day, a very serious and solemn day, but it's not a sad day,” Minkowitz said. “People tend to usually confuse seriousness with sadness or melancholy, and the two couldn't be further away.”