JUC Campus Community Shares Daily Life and Observes Jerusalem’s High Holiday Season

Life at Jerusalem University College during the week of September 25, 2026, included community celebrations, shared study, and opportunities to experience Jerusalem during the Jewish High Holiday season.

On campus, students and staff gathered to celebrate the birthday of Kelsey, a former student who now serves on staff. Nicole and Kristine organized the occasion with homemade scones and a welcoming invitation to the campus community. Early rain after months of dry weather and evenings spent sharing tea outdoors also provided opportunities for conversation and connection.

Regular campus traditions continued, including Shabbat sports and Vespers. During one Friday gathering, Isaac reflected on the Torah’s purity laws and questions arising from their interpretation. Students also joined Dr. V for a visit to the grave of Oskar Schindler near campus, with a tour of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre led by Dr. V and Dr. Petra Heldt planned for the following day.

Jerusalem’s observance of the High Holidays provided another setting for learning. Some members of the JUC community attended late-night Selichot prayer gatherings near the Western Wall in the days leading up to Yom Kippur. Others walked through the unusually quiet streets of Jerusalem during the Day of Atonement, when ordinary traffic and public transportation largely cease.

As Sukkot approached, the campus community prepared to construct its own sukkah, or temporary booth. These experiences offered students opportunities to encounter the rhythms of Jewish religious life while strengthening relationships within the JUC community.