Muslim, Jewish students break fast together

By: David Song
Posted: 9/17/07

For the first time in years, the religious holidays of two faiths coincided, leading to the convening of both Jewish and Muslim students on campus. Rosh Hashanah, the first of the Jewish High Holidays, began last Wednesday at sunset and ended last Friday at sunset. Ramadan, the month-long period of religious observance for Muslims, began on Thursday during Rosh Hashanah.

Because the Islamic calendar operates according to the lunar year, Ramadan migrates throughout the months of the Gregorian calendar, making the coincidence between the first date of Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah uncommon.

During Yom Kippur, the Jewish High Holiday that follows Rosh Hashanah, Jews will fast from this Friday at sunset to this Saturday at sunset. Muslims also practice fasting, abstaining from food during the daytime throughout Ramadan.

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Rabbi Hershey Novack, director of Chabad, seemed to see potential unity in the Jewish and Muslim holidays.

"I think that religion has great potential to bring people together, that it can be a true force for good in the world," said Novack.