September 2017

Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement” and refers to the annual Jewish observance of fasting, prayer and repentance. Part of the High Holidays, which also includes Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. In three separate passages in the Torah, the Jewish people are told, “the tenth day of the seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be a sacred occasion for you: You shall practice self-denial.”(Leviticus 23:27). Fasting is seen as fulfilling this biblical commandment. The Yom Kippur fast also enables us to put aside our physical desires to concentrate on our spiritual needs through prayer, repentance and self-improvement.

Yom Kippur is the moment in Jewish time when we dedicate our mind, body, and soul to reconciliation with God, our fellow human beings, and ourselves. We are commanded to turn to those whom we have wronged first, acknowledging our sins and the pain we might have caused. At the same time, we must be willing to forgive and to let go of certain offenses and the feelings of resentment they provoked in us. On this journey we are both seekers and givers of pardon. Only then can we turn to God and ask for forgiveness: “And for all these, God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, and grant us atonement.”

History Glossary Customs and Rituals How to Prepare to Fast Yom Kippur Family Activities How to Ready Your Young Child for Yom Kippur Yom Kippur and toddlers don’t seem to go together very well. On the most solemn day of the calendar, it can be difficult to figure out what to do with a young child who isn’t ready to sit in services all day. A Parent’s Guide to Surviving the High Holidays Teaching Children about Asking Forgiveness (Slicha) Mirror of the Soul Filling Your Well Learn About Yom Kippur with Shalom Sesame: Saying Sorry Revealing Values Break-the-Fast Painted Serving Tray Break-the-Fast Placemats A Yom Kippur Activity for School-Aged Children View All Family Activities How-to Videos Here’s a little holiday fun for a sweet new year! Kids Try High Holiday Traditions More videos: How to blow the shofar How to Tashlich More on Yom Kippur Chocolate Outs Jews on Yom Kippur Crypto-Jews living in Mexico in the 17th century, under the surveillance of the Inquisition, developed sticky subterfuges to avoid being outed for their undercover Jewish practices, including those that related to chocolate drinking. Meditation Before Yom Kippur for One Who Cannot Fast Repair and Apology: What Does Judaism Teach Us? How to Prepare to Fast on Yom Kippur Lessons in the Mirror The Ultimate Jewish Finger Food Sounds of Kol Nidre Why is the Music Different During the High Holidays? When You Get Stuck in the Fish View More

WHEN IS YOM KIPPUR? Sept 29-30, 2017 Holidays Calendar Social Justice Yom Kippur Social Justice Guide Ideas for incorporating social action themes into your Yom Kippur observance. Read More