It’s traditional to come out and pray at the synagogue at midnight of the Saturday before Rosh Hashanah. It’s a sneak-preview, a warm-up of the High Holiday spirit.
At UAlbany we do it with a little twist. Starting at 11:30pm (so you can go out first) we invite student musicians to play guitar or some light music (as well as a few High Holiday specials like Avinu Malkeinu), we’ll put up a chocolate fountain with fruit and dipping foods, as well as a Yogurt-Bar with granola, berries and toppings. May everyone have a sweet and smooth New Year.
At 1am, which this time of year is considered Halachic Midnight, we begin the Selichot prayer. It isn’t long, but is melodious and meaningful and lasts about a half-hour or forty minutes.