Seven tarp-covered tables provided Jewish students, families and community members a circle of food and conversation as they celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the Jewish New Year, at the OU Hillel.

The celebrants talked quickly and laughed often between bites of apples and honey, the holiday’s traditional treat that represents the beginning of a sweet new year. Rabbi Jean Eglinton, a newly ordained Rabbi from Ohio, was flown to run the special services, and she said the holiday represents the beginning of the everything.

“It is the beginning of the High Holy Days,” Eglinton said. “It’s the birthday of the world.”

With strings of honey on their faces, the participants welcomed the short break away from schoolwork.

Grant Frankfurt, a law student, said he enjoys the break.

“It is technically a shabbat [a sabbath day], you’re not supposed to do work,” Frankfurt said. “It gives you a chance to break away from your studies.”

Soon, the eating and festivities gave way to services held in honor of the holiday. Beginning with a quiet prayer from the Rosh Hashanah prayer book, Eglinton — who had only been in Oklahoma for a day — called on members by name and asked them to read. The celebration included the participants singing and praying in unison.

Megan Godwin, health and exercise sciences junior and president of the OU Hillel, said she was happy with the event.

With Rosh Hanshanah having begun, Hillel will be holding additional services tomorrow at 10 a.m. and again at 4 p.m.

Eglinton is to lead the services before she leaves, but she will return to help celebrate the upcoming Yom Kippur. Despite the rain, Eglinton said her stay has been great so far.

“It is really inspirational to go to all these different places and find people coming together to make a Jewish community,” Eglinton said. “They don’t have to, but they do.”