Celebrating Holidays New and Old Away from Home

As fall is slowly coming around the corner, important holidays are soon to follow. As a new college student, it can be weird celebrating or observing holidays away from home. This is for a variety of reasons. Around this time of year, there are many traditions and special family activities. But being at school, it’s hard to continue these traditions. 

There is no family here to make that special meal or to have that quality time with. Often, this can be lonely especially if there isn’t a designated break to go home. 

This week, we got the opportunity to talk to sophomore Emily Sanderson about celebrating Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism, without her family. 

“Honestly, it sucks,” Sanderson said. “Since I’m the oldest, my entire family is still home and they are able to celebrate together, and I’m here alone.” 

This is the case for many Eon students in the Jewish community this week. Yom Kippur is typically observed with an approximate 25-hour fasting period and extensive prayer. 

When asking Sanderson if there has been anything that has helped keep her traditions alive she said that “getting involved with Jewish organizations on campus has honestly been the best thing.” 

Sanderson is personally involved with Chabad, the Elon Jewish student center, where they have Shabat dinner every Friday and are always open even if it’s just to hang out. 

Other than Chabad, there is the Sklut Hillel Center. At the Hillel house, they know that Elon students are far away from home, so they make their home available to anyone who’s feeling homesick. 

Besides having strong religious communities, it could also be a good idea to start some new traditions! Maybe getting some friends together to celebrate with you or have a traditional meal. This can be an amazing way to celebrate without feeling like you are missing out on what is going on at home.

Holidays away from can sometimes feel sad, but they don’t have to be. Get involved and create new traditions!