Holidays

• Click here to see all of our Sukkot events!

• Click here to see our Simchat Torah events!

Rosh HaShanah (Evening of Sept. 18-Sept 20)

Binghamton University is closed for Rosh HaShana and the vast majority of students travel to their home communities to be with their families for Rosh HaShanah. Nevertheless, Hillel at Binghamton is commited to making sure that every student who remains in Binghamton has a wonderful home and community with whome they can celebrate the holiday no matter what their denominational affiliation. We will make sure that each student who desires is set up with a place to both have all holiday meals and a synagogue to attend. Binghamton is home to Temple Concord (Reform), Temple Israel (Conservative), and Beth David Synagogue (Orthodox) and we have a very strong working relationship with the leadership at all three synagogues, especially when it comes to providing Holiday resources for students.

Yom Kippur (Eve of Sept. 27-28)

Hillel at Binghamton aims to provide a thoroughly fulfilling and meaningful Yom Kippur for students of all Jewish backgrounds and denominations. Hillel offers both Reform and Conservative services which are led by students under the guidance and supervision of the Hillel Rabbi. Through out the day there are numerous opportunities for students to take part in the services, to sit and contemplate with the books and literature provided, and to join discussion and learning sessions. At the end of the holiday we jointly sponsor a communal breakfast with Chabad of Binghamton.

Sukkot (Eve of Oct. 2-10)

Hillel at Binghamton sponsors the campus Sukkah which is erected in the Dickinson amphitheater right outside the Kosher Kitchen. Hillel provides a Lulav and Etrog in the sukkah for all members of the community to use and fulfill the mitzvah of Lulav and Etrog. Through out the holiday Hillel hosts numerous activities and programs in the Sukkah ranging from "Smores in the Sukkah" to "Sukkah Survivor-Sleeping Out So Others Can Sleep In".
KOACH (the Conservative movement on campus) sponsors all holiday meals and services on Shabbat for all students, making sure that everyone has a sukkah to dwell in and a community to eat with.

Simchat Torah (Eve of Oct. 10-12)

Simchat Torah is one of the special times during the year when the entire Jewish community comes together for a legendary  night of dancing, singing, and celebration. The evening of Simchat Torah draws hundreds of students out for spirited dancing and Jewish excitement as we celebrate the Torah and all that it stands for.
The following day Hillel & KOACH co-sponsor with Temple Israel (the local Conservative synagogue) a fun monrning of singing, dancing, puppet shows, and stories as we rewind the Torah to the beggining. This is of course followed by the "Grand Kiddush" where everybody rejoices and eats together as one big community.

Chanukah (Eve of Dec. 11-19)

Although Chanukah often falls during finals or even over winter break, Hillel at Binghamton makes sure that every student, in each and every community on the BU campus and off campus, is able to light the lights of Chanukah with a community. As the Chanukah holiday approaches we provide the opportunity for students to build their own chnukiyot (menorahs) and help them feel comfortable with the rituals of lighting them so that they can each help their communities in celebrating the holdiay of lights.

Purim (Eve Feb. 27-28)

Purim at Binghamton is something you just don't want to miss. Beggining a week before the holiday there are numerous events to get people in the mood of the holiday ranging from mask and grogger making to the famous Hamentaschen-Latke debate between some of the universities most beloved professors and administrators. Purim itself is celebrated with a full megillah reading accompanied by an illustrating slide show so that no one is left out of appreciating the story. This is followed by the annual "Giant Mishloach Manot" sponsored by the parent association, and participation in the Purim Carnival featuring rides and carnival attractions for all. The following day KOACH sponsors another reading of the megillah and a full afternoon meal to celebrate the holiday to its fullest.

Passover (Eve Mar. 29-Apr. 6)

Binghamton University always has spring break over the first two days of Passover each year, but if there are students who opt to stay in Binghamton Hillel at Binghamton makes sure that everybody has a warm seat for seder. For the rest of the holiday Hillel at Binghamton helps to facilitate kosher for Passover meals and snacks through the Kosher Kitchen so that everybody's needs are met through out the duration of the holiday.

If you have any other questions about holiday observance with Hillel at Bingahmton please feel free to contact Rabbi Shalom Kantor.