For NCAA gymnasts, the fall means that preseason training is off and running, official visits are starting, and season is rapidly approaching. But for Jewish gymnasts, the fall also signals the approach of the High Holidays, the most important days of the Jewish calendar. This year, Rosh Hashanah (the new year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) fall on October 3 and 12 respectively, right in the middle of a particularly busy time of year.
For any Jewish student, it can be challenging to balance the High Holidays with college life. But for college gymnasts, like Maryland gymnasts Shani Sirota and Lauren Brendlinger, these holidays are added on top of particularly packed schedules. “I normally have class in the morning, practice starts at 12:30 and goes to 4:00,” Shirota said. Brendlinger described her weekdays as “pretty packed,” and official visits keep the whole team busy on weekends.
Both Sirota and Brendlinger grew up in Jewish homes, observing Jewish holidays and attending synagogue. Like many Jewish students, their observance evolved in college, as they adapted to the challenges that the intense rituals of the High Holidays pose. Many Jews attend synagogue for the whole day, and Jews around the world fast for 25 hours on Yom Kippur. “It’s hard to…
