Hosting the largest Rosh Hashanah Services & Dinners in the USA

Press release from Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student and Community Center

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On Sunday evening, September 25, 2022, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, will commence and continue through Tuesday night September 27, 2022. The Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student and Community Center will host a full High Holiday Services and meals schedule including the largest Rosh Hashanah dinners in the USA. “It’s a special and opportune time for the Jewish community, to gather together and celebrate the start of a wonderful New Year, to pray on behalf of people in Israel, Ukraine, and around the world, especially those in precarious situations,” said Rabbi Berl Goldman, the director of the Center. “After the past tumultuous years of the pandemic, people are yearning to once again connect in person and be inspired”. Organizers are expecting over 750 students and community members to attend Sunday, the first night’s service and dinner. The services will take place at the Center: 2021 NW 5^th Ave (four blocks north of the stadium). The services will commence with a holiday candle lighting ceremony at 7:00 p.m. with services followed by dinner starting at 7:15 p.m.

There are no fees or membership to join. All are welcome, free of charge, regardless of background or affiliation. “Our services will be warm, friendly, traditional, and open to all,” said Chanie Goldman, co-director: “Since many students are unable to go home, we are here to provide them with a home away from home and delicious home-cooked meals during the holidays.” The services will be user-friendly, making it enjoyable and meaningful for both the seasoned and the unversed. The services will be in Hebrew and follow traditional customs interspersed with modern Jewish tunes and English readings. “According to tradition, during the New Year, the doors of Heaven are open and G-d accepts all prayers. We too are opening our doors and everyone is invited to join,” added Joseph Bensabat, president of the UF Chabad Student Group.

Services will be held on Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year (September 25 – 27), as well as Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement (October 4-5). They will be held at various times at the Center, 2021 NW 5^th Ave (four blocks north of the stadium). For a full schedule of service times, please visit our website www.JewishGator.com/HighHolidays.

Rabbi Berl Goldman said: “it is thanks to the generous donors from the community, alumni, and parents that make the High Holiday services, programs, and delicious meals possible free of charge for the students; they are true partners both spiritually and physically, and have great merit”.