Local Events to Observe Jewish Holidays; USD Hosts Butterfly Project Oct. 4

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, will be recognized by millions of people around the world beginning this evening, Sept. 20, through the evening of Friday, Sept. 22. Yom Kippur, a Day of Atonement, takes place beginning on the night of Sept. 29 and ending the night of Sept. 30.

In San Diego, Hillel of San Diego and USD’s Jewish Student Union members will observe the holidays, including the celebration of Year 5778 and participate alongside students at other local colleges and universities at services and events happening in the city.

Local Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur Observations 

Local Hillel events for the Jewish holidays includes the San Diego State Hillel hosting services and meals. The address is 5717 Lindo Paseo, Ca 92115

SDSU Hillel for Rosh Hashanah: Erev Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 20) — Service 6 p.m., and Dinner, 7 p.m., at Hillel; First Day of Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 21) —Morning services at local synagogues; Lunch at Hillel, 1-2:30 p.m.; Tashlich (symbolic casting off of sins) at Lake Murray w/local congregations, 5 p.m.; Second Day of Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 22) —Morning services at local synagogues; Shabbat service 6 p.m. and dinner 7 p.m. at Hillel. 

SDSU Hillel for Yom Kippur: Erev Yom Kippur (Sept. 29) — Pre-Fast Dinner at Hillel, 5 p.m.; Kol Nidre service at local synagogues; Yom Kippur (Sept. 30) — Morning/daytime services at local synagogues; Short N’eila (End of Yom Kippur) Service 5:30 p.m., followed by BREAK-THE-FAST at approximately 6 p.m. 

UCSD Hillel for Yom Kippur: Enjoy a free, kosher pre-fast meal and the traditional services marking the start of Yom Kippur, led by UC San Diego Hillel Executive Director Rabbi David Singer, on Sept. 29 in the Huerta Vera Cruz Room (in UCSD’s former student center); On Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m., also in the Huerta Vera Cruz Room, UCSD will host a N’eila service led by Rabbi Singer and a Break Fast meal afterward. 

For students wishing to attend services at a local synagogue during these important Jewish holidays, please contact Glenda Jaffe at gjaffe@hillelsd.org 

Supporting USD's Connection to Jewish Traditions

Since the Catholic tradition is deeply committed to inter-faith dialogue and support, the university, including University Ministry, works closely with the USD Jewish Student Union and Hillel San Diego. Hillel is active on the USD campus, supporting students who identify as Jewish and helping educate the entire campus community about the richness and beauty of the Jewish tradition. Each fall, Hillel sponsors a Sukkah, an outdoor “hut” or temporary dwelling that commemorates the feast of the Tabernacles. These tent-like structures represent the huts in which the Israelites dwelt during their 40 years of wandering in the desert after escaping slavery in Egypt.

Hillel San Diego also sponsors an interfaith, social justice Passover Seder meal each spring. This meal is an opportunity not only for Jewish students to celebrate but also a key educational opportunity for all students to learn about the shared history of Judaism and Christianity as well as grow in appreciation for the implications and meaning of Passover for today. Likewise, Hillel San Diego offers regular opportunities for Jewish and non-Jewish students to enjoy fellowship as well as attend local synagogues. Finally, Hillel sponsors Birthright trips to Israel for students who identify as Jewish.  For more information about Hillel at USD, please contact Glenda Jaffe at gjaffe@hillelsd.org.

Film Screening, Discussion and Butterfly Project Oct. 4 at USD 

Separate from the holiday observations and activities, the University of San Diego will also host an important event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4 in the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre. 

A powerful call to action through the arts, using the lessons of the Holocaust, will take place while discussing the dangers of hatred and bigotry. Led by Cheryl Rattner Price, co-founder and executive director of The Butterfly Project, this event includes: 

• A special viewing of "NOT The Last Butterfly," an award-winning documentary about The Butterfly Project 

• A brief description of The Butterfly Project and discussion 

• An opportunity for participants to be part of a world-wide effort to remember and memorialize the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust. Each participant will paint a ceramic butterfly, thus creating a work of art to symbolize that each person has a voice and needs to be responsible to stand up to injustice. 

The event is co-sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences, University Ministry, the Jewish Student Union, Hillel of San Diego, Changemaker Hub, Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice and the School of Leadership and Education Sciences.  

A second opportunity for students to paint a ceramic butterfly will happen on Oct. 12 during the Changemaker Block Party, which is hosted by the USD Changemaker Hub.

— Compiled by USD News Center