 |
|
|
|
|
A Reflection from the University Chaplaincy
| |
The Jewish community will shortly be celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. A central ritual of the day is the sounding of a ram’s horn, called a Shofar.
Its sound is unlike any instrument: not polished, not melodic, but raw, primal, and urgent. It is a cry that seems to come from somewhere beyond words.
The blessing recited before sounding the shofar does not speak of blowing it. Instead, the blessing is “to hear the shofar.” This subtle shift matters. The ritual is not about producing sound, but about opening ourselves to what the sound carries.
The Slonimer Rebbe, a Hasidic teacher of the last century, draws a parallel from the opening line of the book of Leviticus: “And He called to Moses, and the Lord spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying…” The verse begins with mystery. Who is this anonymous “He” who calls? The Rebbe suggests that the call is not from one identifiable voice, but from all of existence itself. The rustling wind, the silent desert night, the pulse of being—Moses hears in this nameless call the whisper of the Divine.
So too with the shofar. Its blessing reminds us that the point is not in the blowing, but in the listening. To hear the shofar is to recognize in its broken, trembling notes the voice of life itself, calling us back. It is an awakening, a summons to notice the sacred woven quietly into the fabric of the ordinary.
Listening in this way is a discipline of the soul. It asks us to quiet the noise of our own thoughts and hear, in the cry of the shofar, the pulse of life that runs through everything. This is listening not just to a sound, but to being itself, to the very breath of existence. Such listening does not end at the ear; it awakens the heart to awe, opening us to live with wonder, humility, and radical amazement at the gift of life.
As the shofar sounds this New Year, may its call ripple outward, touching not only those who stand in the synagogue but all who are ready to listen for life’s deeper invitation. May we hear in it a call to live more gently with one another, more attuned to the world around us, and more awake to the mystery that sustains us.
Wishing you a year of sweetness, renewal, and peace.
Rabbi Naftali Brawer Ph.D.
Neubauer Executive Director, Tufts Hillel and Jewish Chaplain, Tufts University
| |
|
Religious and Philosophical Events and Gatherings
| |
High Holidays at Tufts Hillel
Hillel offers meaningful, student-centered services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, including Reform and Traditional-Egalitarian options. They also offer learning programs, social events, and festival meals throughout the holidays. Whether you’re looking for prayer, meditation, community, food, or a home away from home, you’ll find it at Hillel. Find the full High Holiday calendar below.
With the High Holidays, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah coming up, a reminder: students are fully entitled to request academic accommodations for religious observance. Professors are expected to honor these requests. If you need any help or run into any challenges, reach out to Hillel and/or the Office of Equal Opportunity. You can call OEO at 617.627.3298 as well. Take the time you need, you are supported!
| |
Tea & Community Care: Buddhism & Consumerism
Wednesday September 17, 7:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m, Goddard Chapel
Savour 12+ teas with fresh fruits, snacks, and treats at our Tea & Community Care gathering. Enjoy a calming ten minute meditation and discover insights from stories on recycling and mindful consumerism. For any questions, feel free to reach out to Buddhist Chaplain Vineetha Mahayaye.
| |
Yoga and Mindfulness with the Earth
Sunday, September 21, 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Meet at Interfaith Center, 58 Winthrop Street
Join the Buddhist Chaplaincy, the Tufts Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha, and the Graduate Buddhist Mindfulness Sangha for walking and sitting meditation, mindful dialogue, and both guided and self-guided yoga, followed by snacks. Feel free to bring a yoga mat, though it’s not required. For any questions, feel free to reach out to Buddhist Chaplain Vineetha Mahayaye.
| |
|
Humanist Chaplaincy Graduate Fall Book Club
Mondays, starting September 22, 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m, Interfaith Center
RSVP to join the Humanist Chaplaincy's Fall Book Club for Graduate Students! This fall semester, we will delve into What I Believe: Humanist Ideas and Philosophies to Live By author Andrew Copson. For questions, e-mail Humanist Chaplain Anthony Cruz Pantojas.
| |
Introduction to Archival Literacy Workshop
Wednesday, September 17 and Thursday, October 30, 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m., Tisch Library 223
Have you ever felt lost when trying to find primary sources for an assignment? Have you ever wondered how the histories of organizations and communities are preserved? Check out Tisch Library and TARC’s “Introduction to Archival Literacy” workshops on September 17 and October 30 from 12:15-1:15 pm in Tisch 223! These workshops will explore how archival sources can enhance your research, why searching in libraries and archives is so different, and what to expect when you visit an archive.
| |
|
|
Resources and Opportunities
| |
ESOL Teaching Certification
Applications due Sunday, September 21
Hillel is currently looking for student volunteers who would be excited to participate and who can commit for the full academic year to the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. During the first semester, students will take an online course to be able to receive their ESOL teaching certification. Then, during the second semester, the students will be actually teaching the adult student learners in-person and on-campus at the Hillel building. This initiative started last year and was developed from an existing partnership with the McGlynn Middle School, which expressed a need for a free program for the parents of their students. Please email Hillel student leader Adriana Bussel-Alonso with any questions.
| |
To see more upcoming religious holidays and festivals, including information about seeking religious accommodations at Tufts, please follow the link to the Tufts Multifaith Calendar.
Mabon
Monday, September 22, 2025
Tradition: Wicca/Paganism
Autumnal Equinox and the second harvest festival, celebrating the equivalence of light and dark, the arrival of Autumn and thanksgiving for the Earth’s bounty.
Navaratri
Monday, September 22 – Thursday, October 2, 2025
Tradition: Hinduism
A nine-night (nav-rat) celebration of nine auspicious forms of Shakti/Devi (feminine divine power/the Goddess).
Rosh Hashanah
Monday, September 22 – Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Tradition: Judaism
The Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of the world, Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (also known as the Ten Days of Repentance) that conclude on Yom Kippur. It marks the beginning of the holiest time of the year for Jews.
Yom Kippur
Wed., Oct. 1 – Thu., Oct. 2, 2025
Tradition: Judaism
The conclusion of the 10 Days of Awe, Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn of all days in the Jewish year. It is characterized by repentance, fasting, and forgiveness. Yom Kippur begins on the evening of Wednesday, October 1, at sundown.
| |
Support the University Chaplaincy
Supporting programs at Tufts University in religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life is easy and vital to our work. To donate, please click on the button below. Thank you for your generosity.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
The University Chaplaincy is a dynamic hub supporting religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life for all members of the Tufts community. We provide spiritual care, support religious and philosophical communities, educate about spiritual and ethical issues in society and the world, and promote multifaith engagement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
