By Chloe Baker, Senior Opinions Editor and Betty Khirman
Everyone has their reasoning for coming to Yeshiva University. For some, it is the next natural step in their lives, a path that was shaped for them. For others, they made a proactive choice to attend what’s been coined the “flagship Jewish university.” Some coming from countries across the world, and others having to overcome numerous hurdles to get here.
However, one thing that unites many in their decision is that by coming to YU, they want to further their religious and spiritual growth. Many students couldn’t envision living a religious life on a secular campus, where keeping Shabbat, kosher and easily accessing the guidance of rabbanim would be far more out of reach.
While there are many things that YU does incredibly well, the high holidays, one of the most important parts of the Jewish year, are non-existent on campus. For a school that prides itself on religious and spiritual growth, this seems to go against its principles.
Each year when the fall chagim roll around, Beren students are instructed, and expected, to leave campus and go home for the one month that YU graciously grants us off from in-person learning. This forces all students off of the Beren campus and out of their dormitories.
While students are able to be on campus for the intermediary days, during the holidays themselves they are not permitted to be in the dorms. Most students enjoy the school break and realize what a privilege it is to be given off during this time of the year, something students at other colleges do not have. At YU, a supposed refuge and house of Torah and Judaism, ironically closes its doors during the most important time of the year in the Jewish calendar.
For some students, returning to the homes and communities they’re from can be challenging. Some are going back to places that do not fully align with their Torah values, some students find their communities to be boring, or some want to be in the city with friends. Additionally, some students, like many typical college students, are seeking a college experience that does not rely on the comfort of going home every weekend, a support that many at this school find solace in.
“From an out of town perspective, it can be hard to go home for the chagim if you are not actively living in close proximity to the city,” Hayley Goldberg (SCW ‘26) told the YU Observer.
Besides for out of towners, YU has many international students from places like Israel, Panama, Costa Rica and Morocco. Flights to these places can be extremely expensive, putting international students in a tough position. Additionally, some students do not have the luxury of going home to large Jewish communities, or going home to houses who observe holidays in the ways they would like to.
“It’s stressful for me when I have to plan the minute I get here what I am going to do for the chagim since I can’t be on campus,” Goldberg said. “When you’re someone like me, you have to go to a million different places for the holidays since going home is not an option.”
While many students may want to spend Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot at home with family, many expressed that students of the flagship Jewish university should not be blindsided to the student body that is unable to go home. Many students hope for an uplifting chagim experience rather than dealing with challenges like maintaining kosher in a non-kosher household, observing a three-day yom tov in a non-observant home, or celebrating the holidays away from a supportive community.
Additionally, even those who do live in large communities, come from frum families, or go home without any problems may want to seek different experiences that don’t involve staying home. This is especially prevalent during Simchat Torah, as it marks the end of the holiday period that students have been home for. Since students cannot stay in their dorms and there are no formal programs on the Beren campus during the chagim, many who attend this university find themselves seeking meaningful Jewish programming from secular colleges.
“It’s honestly ridiculous that I have to go to a secular college to get a beautiful and meaningful Simchat Torah experience when I’m coming from Stern college,” Shoshana Fisher (SCW ‘26) told the YU Observer.
Fisher attended Binghamton University for Simchat Torah and described it as being a “meaningful and uplifting experience” that she “will cherish.” She attended the Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (JLIC) center and Chabad houses for programming.
“It was incredible to see religious and non-religious Jews alike missing class to celebrate together in unity and Ahavat Yisrael,” Fisher said. “I hope in the future it [Yeshiva University] becomes a place people go towards, not away from for Simchat Torah.”
While going to other colleges can be an enjoyable experience, it might not always be entirely fulfilling. When you are there for a three day chag, it begins to become tiring constantly introducing yourself, meeting new people, and overall feeling a little bit lost. “It’s different because it’s not your school. You aren’t at home,” Atara Seff (SCW ‘25) told the YU Observer.
Even students at other schools have started to pick up on the flock of students from YU who migrate to their campuses for some of the holidays. At the University of Maryland Hillel, a newsletter containing a meme-like page made reference to the large number of Stern and YU students who come to visit due to the lack of Shabbat and holiday programming at YU.
“It’s unfortunate that we have to find other places to go and even more unfortunate that we have to find other colleges to go to. It’s interesting to see how Chabad houses are doing more than a Jewish university,” Sydney Lugo (SCW ‘26) told the YU Observer. “I think it would benefit everyone, in-towners and out-of-towners, if we had that option. It should be their top priority.”
Ultimately, many students believe there is more that can be done to enhance students’ experiences at YU, and a place worth starting is implementing programming during the chagim. Students elect to attend this college with the hope and expectation that their religious needs will be met, yet for some during the holiest time of the year, they are left on their own. Many YU students expressed that it should not be mandated upon them to stay on campus like it was for the boys this past year, but neither should they be forced off of campus.
Additionally, students recognize that the absence of a chagim program may be due to the low interest on campus. However, even if only ten students find tranquility or satisfaction and meaning in having the ability to celebrate the chagim on campus, this article has achieved its purpose. We hope it sparks a conversation toward finding a solution, one that brings our campus together and toward each other during the holiest time of the year, rather than away.
Photo Caption: The Purim chagiga at YU
Photo Credit: Yeshiva University