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Celebrate the High Holidays with Hillel

About High Holidays​

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The High Holidays are a time to pause, reflect, and reconnect—with ourselves, our community, and our traditions. As we begin a new Jewish year, we gather to celebrate, seek forgiveness, express gratitude, and set our intentions for the year ahead.

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Whether you've celebrated the High Holidays your entire life or are joining for the very first time, Diane and Howard Schilit Hillel at the University of Florida is excited to welcome you. We strive to create a warm, meaningful, and inclusive experience where every Jewish Gator can find a place to connect.

 

This year, Schilit Hillel will offer both Reform and Conservative High Holiday services. Reform services will be led by Rabbi Jonah Zinn, and Conservative services will once again be led by Rabbi Ben Varon. Throughout the holidays, students will also have opportunities to gather for festive meals and celebrate together in community.

 

Parents, alumni, faculty, staff, community members, and guests are warmly invited to join our student community for the High Holidays.

 

The full schedule of services, meals, and events is available below. We look forward to celebrating with you and wish you a sweet, healthy, and meaningful New Year.

 

Shanah Tovah!

High Holidays 2026 Schedule​

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​Rosh Hashanah

Friday, September 11: Erev Rosh Hashanah
6:00 PM: Nosh
6:30 PM:

  • Conservative Evening Service

  • Reform Evening Service

7:30 PM: Dinner

Saturday, September 12: Rosh Hashanah First Day
9:00 AM: Conservative Morning Service
10:30 AM: Reform Morning Service
12:00 PM: Lunch

Sunday, September 13: Rosh Hashanah Second Day
10:00 AM: Conservative Morning Service & Lunch
5:00 PM: Brief Tashlich Service

 

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Yom Kippur
Sunday, September 20, 2026: Kol Nidre / Erev Yom Kippur
7:00 PM:

  • Conservative Kol Nidre Service

  • Reform Kol Nidre Service


Monday, September 21, 2026:  Yom Kippur Day
10:00 AM: Conservative Morning Service
10:30 AM: Reform Morning Service
All Afternoon: Community & Reflection at Hillel
5:30 PM: Conservative Afternoon (Mincha) Service
6:30 PM: Learning & Reflection with Rabbi Ben
7:30 PM:

  • Conservative Neilah Concluding Service

  • Reform Neilah Concluding Service

8:15 PM: Break the Fast Meal​

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The order deadline has now passed. Recipients will be notified about their Sweet New Year Gift Bag on Sept. 10.

 

Questions?​

Please contact Jamie Zinn at jamie.zinn@ufhillel.org.

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SWEET NEW YEAR HOLIDAY BAG PICK UP INFORMATION

Fri, Sept 11 (Erev RH)

6pm to 9pm

Schilit Hillel

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Sat, Sept 12 (RH Day 1)

10am to 1pm

Schilit Hillel

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Mon, Sept 14

11am to 1pm

Turlington

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Mon, Sept 14

2pm to 5pm

Schilit Hillel

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Tues, Sept 15

12pm to 5pm

Schilit Hillel

 

Schilit Hillel is located inside Lipoff Hall at 2020 W University Ave, the large blue and white building. Ring the bell at the front door and someone will greet you.

 

For Turlington pick up, look for the large Schilit Hillel tent at the times listed above.

 

If you can't make it during one of these times you can have a friend pick it up for you! 

 

Allergy friendly bags are available. You can view the ingredients for the standards bags at the following links: 

Religious Holidays Attendance Policy​

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If any student has an issue, please have them reach out to Rabbi Jonah Zinn at jzinn@ufhillel.org and we will connect them with the appropriate administrators to resolve the issue. ​​

Support the High Holidays at Schilit Hillel​

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Schilit Hillel is pleased to provide all of our High Holiday meals, services, and creative programs, including our High Holiday Sweet New Year boxes FREE OF CHARGE to all students. We seek to ensure every Jewish student can enjoy a festive and meaningful holiday, regardless of their prior observance or ability to pay.

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If you are in a position to do so, we invite you to make a donation today to support Schilit Hillel's High Holiday experience.

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Your gift matters!

  • $36 provides Erev Rosh Hashanah dinner to ONE student.

  • $360 provides traditional break the fast bagels and lox to TWENTY students.

  • $1,800 funds HALF of our Rosh Hashanah lunch.

  • $6,000 is needed to cover the cost of an additional rabbi joining us in Gainesville to enhance our worship experience.

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We also welcome monthly donors who support our work year round.

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For questions about giving or to give by mail, please contact Jamie Zinn at jamie.zinn@ufhillel.org.

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High Holidays FAQs​

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What should I expect?

Whether you've celebrated the High Holidays your entire life or are joining for the very first time, Schilit Hillel is excited to welcome you. We strive to create a warm, meaningful, and inclusive experience where every Jewish Gator can find a place to connect.

  • Two Service Styles Options: Schilit Hillel will offer both Reform and Conservative High Holiday services. Reform services will be led by Rabbi Jonah Zinn, and Conservative services will once again be led by Rabbi Ben Varon.

  • Traditional Kosher Holiday Menus: Intimate table seating great for conversation, matzo ball soup, brisket, chicken, roasted vegetables, gluten-free and vegan options too, plus bagels, lox, and kugel at holiday lunches.

  • Tashlich on Campus: An event to reflect, hear the shofar, and symbolically cast away your sins to start the year anew.

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What are the service vibes?

Reform Services are warm, welcoming, and participatory. Led by Rabbi Jonah Zinn and students using Gates of Prayer for Days of Awe, services blend Hebrew and English and feature student musicians, including guitar accompaniment. Conservative Services are traditional, communal, and spirited, with plenty of singing. Led by Rabbi Ben Varon and student leaders, the largely Hebrew service will feel familiar to those from other egalitarian Conservative settings. Both services have mixed seating, with men and women sharing equal roles throughout. They are also informal, so students should feel comfortable coming and going as their schedules allow.

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Who can attend?

Whether you are celebrating for the first time or recite Avinu Malkeinu in your sleep, all are welcome:

  • UF and Santa Fe Students, Faculty, and Staff

  • Alumni and their Families

  • Community Members

  • Families of Current Students

  • Non-Jewish Friends of the Jewish Community

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Where can I attend?

All Holiday Services and Meals will be held at Schilit Hillel: 2020 W. University Ave, Gainesville, FL

Tashlich will be held on campus on Sunday, September 13, at 5 PM.

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​Will there be security?

Yes, Schilit Hillel will have security officers on-site during High Holiday services and meals. All year long, we work closely with local law enforcement, the Secure Communities Network (SCN), and the UF administration to ensure that the safety of Jewish students remains a top priority. We are grateful to UFPD, Gainesville Police Department, and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office for working to ensure our community can celebrate the holidays peacefully and safely.

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Where do I RSVP?

View the full schedule of meals and services, and RSVP by visiting: ufhillel.org/highholidays

 

If my question isn't answered above, who can I contact?

Please email Logan King at lking@ufhillel.org

 

What is the UF Religious Holidays Attendance Policy?

Students have the right to observe religious holidays without facing academic consequences if you notify your instructors as early as possible. Balancing classes and Jewish commitments can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone – Schilit Hillel is here to support you in every way possible. 

 

Learn more and read the Policy FAQs at ufhillel.org/holidaypolicy. If you have any issues or questions, please reach out to Rabbi Jonah Zinn at jzinn@ufhillel.org

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