Happy Rosh Hashanah to our university community!

11 Sep 2026

Best wishes for the Jewish New Year 5787

Happy Roshanah text on a purple background

From sundown today (Friday 11 September) until nightfall on Sunday 13 September, Jewish communities in the UK and around the world will be celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Rosh Hashanah, which means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew, marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days and the start of the Hebrew year 5787. It is a deeply spiritual and reflective time, focused on introspection, renewal, and setting intentions for the year ahead.

One of the traditions includes hearing the Shofar (a ram’s horn) being sounded, which acts as a spiritual wake-up call, a call to repentance, and a reminder of God's sovereignty and the Binding of Isaac.

Message from Rabbi Eli, Jewish Chaplain, and Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor:

We wish all our colleagues, students, alumni, partners and wider community, a very happy Rosh Hashanah.