Jewish High Holiday Messaging Guide
A quick reference for institutions sharing greetings for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.
What are the High Holidays?
Every fall season on the Jewish calendar is the peak spiritual time called the “High Holidays,” or, by those translating directly from the Hebrew terms, the “Days of Awe.” The High Holidays combine themes of celebration and jubilation with sacred reflection and atonement as Jews celebrate the new calendar year and take stock of their lives over the prior year, seeking forgiveness and committing to improvement.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is considered one of the most important Jewish Holy Days. Rosh Hashanah is the annual renewal of creation and has come to signify the continuity of creation and the ongoing involvement of G-d in the lives of the Jewish people. Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the ten days of repentance. It is a time to assess one’s personal achievements and failures and to prepare to begin anew. The blast of the shofar, the ram’s horn, in the synagogue reminds the Jewish people to fear G-d and to undertake good deeds during the ensuing twelve months. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with symbolic foods such as apples and honey, which represent the hope of a sweet new year.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins on the first of the month of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar and continues for two days.
Rosh Hashanah Messaging
The proximity of Rosh Hashanah to the start of the semester means Jewish campus community members will be paying attention to how the university regards their holiday. Recognition by your institution of the importance of Rosh Hashanah will communicate appreciation of your Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Any and all public greetings are encouraged – in video or graphical format; on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter / X; and as stories and feed posts.
Greetings are most appreciated in the 24 hours leading up to the start of the holiday. Because of celebrations and observances that prohibit the use of electronics, many celebrating Rosh Hashanah will not see any late messages until the holiday is over. As Rosh Hashanah begins in the evening, sharing greetings early that day is ideal.
Appropriate imagery for Rosh Hashanah greetings and messaging include:
- Shofar
- Apples & honey
- Round challah
Avoid using any Jewish-related imagery that is not associated with Rosh Hashanah. For example, a common mistake is to include imagery of Chanukah menorahs or matzah ball soup.
Although it conveys much-appreciated cultural recognition, we recommend avoiding using Hebrew lettering in your holiday greetings and focusing more on the core message you wish to relay.
Sample greetings:
- Happy Rosh Hashanah.
- Wishing our campus Jewish community a sweet new year Shanah Tovah to our students, faculty, and staff
Suggested social media captions:
- Shana Tova! May you have a sweet new year.
- Wishing our Jewish community here on campus a very sweet new year!
Tip for Presidents and Individuals: It is nice to include an anecdote about an experience or favourite aspect of the holiday in your personal greeting.
Yom Kippur
Marking the end of the ten days of repentance, Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, observed by 25 hours of fasting and prayer to be cleansed of sin. Yom Kippur begins at sundown with an evening service called Kol Nidre, ‘All Vows,’ which is commonly preceded by a large meal, the last before the start of the fast. Yom Kippur is observed on the tenth of the month of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar.
Yom Kippur Messaging
Yom Kippur is widely observed, including the practice of fasting, by Jews around the world, regardless of religiosity. Recognition by your institution of the importance of Yom Kippur will communicate appreciation of your Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Any and all public greetings are encouraged – in video or graphical format; on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter / X; and as stories and feed posts.
Greetings are most appreciated in the 24 hours leading up to the start of the holiday. Because of celebrations and observances that prohibit the use of electronics, many celebrating Yom Kippur will not see any late messages until the holiday is over. As Yom Kippur begins in the evening, sharing greetings early that day is ideal.
Appropriate language and imagery for Yom Kippur greetings and messaging include:
- Repentance / atonement
- Forgiveness
- Shofar
- Prayer
Avoid using any Jewish-related imagery that is not associated with Yom Kippur. For example, a common mistake is to include imagery of food.
Although it conveys much-appreciated cultural recognition, we recommend avoiding using Hebrew lettering in your holiday greetings and focusing more on the core message you wish to relay.
Sample greetings
- Wishing our students, faculty, and staff a meaningful Yom Kippur
- May our campus Jewish community have an easy fast this Yom Kippur holiday.
Suggested social media captions:
- Gmar Chatimah Tova
- Wishing the Jewish community here at [name of your campus here] a meaningful Yom Kippur.
Tip for Presidents and Individuals:It is nice to include an anecdote about an experience or favourite aspect of the holiday in your personal greeting.
Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, & Simchat Torah
Sukkot is a seven-day festival with historical and agricultural significance. Historically, Sukkot commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Agriculturally, Sukkot is a harvest festival, sometimes referred to as the ‘Feast of Ingathering.’ To celebrate, a sukkah – a booth of palm and willow branches – is built, and meals are eaten within it. No work is permitted on the first two days of Sukkot.
The two days following the festival, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, are also days when work is not permitted. Though these days are separate holidays, they are related and commonly thought of as part of Sukkot. Shemini Atzeret marks the completion of the annual reading of the Torah, and Simchat Torah celebrates the resumption of the annual cycle of readings. The holidays are celebrated with singing, dancing, and processions of people carrying Torahs and waving flags.
Sukkot is observed on the 15th of the month of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar and lasts seven days. The two following days transition into Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, & Simchat Torah Messaging
Many Jews around the world celebrate Sukkot and recognize the iconic booths used throughout the holiday. Most Jews will not think of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah as distinct holidays, so separate messaging for these holidays is not usually required. Recognition by your institution of the holiday overall will communicate appreciation of your Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Any and all public greetings are encouraged – in video or graphical format; on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter / X; and as stories and feed posts.
Greetings are most appreciated in the 24 hours leading up to the start of the holiday. Because of celebrations and observances that prohibit the use of electronics during the first two days of the holiday, many celebrating Sukkot will not see any messages once the holiday is underway. As Sukkot begins in the evening, sharing greetings early that day is ideal.
Appropriate language and imagery for Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, & Simchat Torah greetings and messaging include:
- Sukkah
- Palm branch (closed), myrtle, willow, and citron
- Torah scrolls
Sample greetings
- Wishing our students, faculty, and staff a joyous Sukkot holiday
Suggested social media captions:
- Chag Sukkot sameach! Wishing you a warm and healthy Sukkot
- Chag Sameach to the Jewish community celebrating Sukkot.