Jewish Community Celebrates Rosh Hashanah, Classes Cancelled

In celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Academy canceled Monday classes, allowing time for Jewish Exonians to observe their faith—a novel decision in Academy history.

Rosh Hashanah, the first day of the Jewish new year, is celebrated on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. The two-day celebration is a time to celebrate the joy of the past year and hope for peace and prosperity in the next.

When creating this year’s schedule, Director of Studies Scott Saltman incorporated the free Monday to coincide with Rosh Hashanah. “I created a draft of the calendar and shared it with several stakeholders,” Saltman explained. “Principal Rawson recognized the hardship that having classes on Rosh Hashanah creates for our Jewish students and supported this break in our routine.”

Jewish Exonians were grateful for the time given to observe the holiday. “It’s a big holiday for us the way it would be Christmas or Easter for Christians,” Religion Instructor Jennifer Marx-Asch said. This is reflected in the plans that Exeter had for Rosh Hashanah this year, which included a festive meal with food, worship services and traditional holiday prayers.

In previous years, Jewish students have had to choose between going to classes and celebrating Rosh Hashanah. “[I ask myself] am I gonna skip classes and maybe fall behind so I can observe a holiday or am I going to prioritize my academics and maybe feel guilty about it?” upper Caleb Richmond said. “I think that this really cuts out that kind of bad gut feeling.”

“This requires a balance and thoughtful decisions about what we value,” Saltman explained. “We don’t want students or adults to have to choose between attending classes and observing their faith.”

Richmond elaborated on the challenges of missing classes for Rosh Hashanah at Exeter. “My middle school wasn't very academically rigorous, so I could miss a day,” Richmond said, “Whereas at Exeter, if you’ve been sick or missed a day of classes, it’s pretty hard to [bounce] back.”

On Monday, Rosh Hashanah services were held by Marx-Asch in the morning at Phillips Church. “Rabbi did a really great job,” co-head of the Exeter Jewish Community (EJC) and upper Rachel Saltman said. “She always has. It was a really beautiful service and she gave me a very calming and relaxing feeling.”

Lower Elizabeth Bolker commended Marx-Asch for incorporating community-building and educational activities into the day. “She does things to make it accessible for people who have grown up Jewish or people who are maybe just looking around for the first time.”

Additionally, different activities occurred throughout the day—including brunch, ceramic pot painting and a Tashlich ritual which involves throwing bread crumbs into a body of water, symbolizing a casting away of past sins before a new year.

Many students consider Tashlich as a time to relax and bond with friends. “Sometimes we get a little feisty,” said Rachel Saltman. “We throw some stale bread at each other. I think that's pretty fun.”

Many members of the Exeter Jewish Community feel more connected to their religion at the Academy than at their previous schools. “It seems a lot tighter here than it was back home in Chicago,” EJC co-head and upper Adam Tuchler said.

Students lauded the Academy for continuing to encourage diversity. “I definitely think that at public schools they're less accepting of that,” upper Eliya Toledano said. “The calendar revolves around the Christian holidays…but I feel as if at Exeter they want everyone to be included.”

Students hope that the administration will continue to recognize holidays in other religions. “Diwali was very important, but we didn’t get that day off,” lower Mana Vale said. “My family and I only had 30 minutes to spend with each other because of school.” Vale continued, “There are several other religions that are practiced and they do not get recognized by the school the same way that Rosh Hashanah was this year … There are other religions that deserve the same recognition.”

Senior Kileidria Aguilar agreed, saying, “I would hope that in the future religious holidays are respected regardless of which faith one upholds.” She continued, “Equity and inclusion, to me, go hand in hand, thus holidays of the Islam faith should be respected regardless of the number of students who follow the religion. I hope that more students feel, through this example, that faith is an important aspect of some Exonians’ life and have the confidence to express their religious needs.”

In the future, both faculty and students look forward to expanding the festivities. “I’m very glad to have Rosh Hashanah off and hopefully this is just one step in the right direction and they will eventually give Yom Kippur off,” Bolker said.

In addition, Marx-Asch hopes that, “in future times, the greater Exeter community can join in on the festivities and create opportunities for everyone to set their intentions for the year because I think that's a really lovely way to start the academic year.”