Finding Community: A High Holidays Story

This past September, I sat at Rosh Hashanah services for the Jewish New Year alone for the first time in my life. I arrived an hour early to a local synagogue, because back home in Houston, my family of fifteen always insists on sitting together at services. Coming from a large congregation, I assumed I’d need extra time to find a seat.  

I settled into the sanctuary when a woman and her husband sat directly in front of me. Given my outgoing personality, I introduced myself. I told the couple that I am a junior at the University of Richmond and deeply involved in our vibrant Jewish community on campus. The couple introduced themselves as Naomi and Martin. They asked about our Hillel and Jewish Life programs, and I explained that we are a group of just over 250 students with varying levels of spirituality, observance, and belief. Even before the service began, I felt a sense of fulfillment and hope for the end of the Hebrew year 5785 and the beginning of 5786.  

In order to allow each student to practice closest to their own traditions, Jewish Life gathered in community on campus for meals and supplemental opportunities throughout the High Holidays. We also had the chance to attend services that aligned with our personal customs, creating a meaningful balance between campus community and individual spiritual practice. Thanks to the support of Jewish Life at the University of Richmond, the Chaplaincy and the local Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, we had access to transportation and welcoming congregations across the seven synagogues in Richmond. 

Ten days later, I prepared for Kol Nidrei, the eve of Yom Kippur and the most sacred night of the Jewish year. A large group of students gathered for the pre-fast meal hosted by Richmond Hillel. I told my friends all about Naomi and how kind and thoughtful she was, in addition to how welcoming the congregation had felt. In that moment, I realized that with just a little encouragement, I could help connect my friends to that same sense of belonging off campus. 

When I returned to the local synagogue for Kol Nidrei, I chose roughly the same pew to sit. There again, right in front of me, were Naomi and her husband. Naomi was thrilled to see me, and I was even more excited because I had brought friends. After meeting her, my friends wanted to return to services again just to see her.  

This small but meaningful connection with Naomi gave me something I hadn’t realized I was missing, offering warmth and familiarity in a year of transition and change. After only a few minutes of talking, she shared her contact information, told me she lived close to campus, and insisted I reach out if I ever needed anything, reminding me how much I value being part of the Jewish community. I am deeply grateful to University of Richmond Jewish Life and the Office of the Chaplaincy for providing meals, transportation, and community partnerships that ensured every Jewish student could observe the High Holidays in ways true to their own traditions. Without their support and their connections to local synagogues and agencies, I never would have met Naomi or experienced the deep sense of belonging that has meant so much to me. 

Tali Kalmans is a junior at the University of Richmond from Houston, Texas who is passionate about Jewish life, community building, and finding meaningful connections both on and off campus.