Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is a Jewish holiday that fosters a sense of community. It is a time to come together, reflect, seek forgiveness for wrongdoings committed during the past year, and resolve to do better going forward. For the millennia, Yom Kippur has been regarded as the most important and holy day in the annual Jewish calendar. It is a time when Jewish people turn inwards to repent, apologize, and atone, strengthening our bond as a community come together as a community to each say “I’m sorry” to G-d, confident that his response will be one of love and forgiveness.

Yom Kippur begins this year at sundown on Friday, October 11, and continues through nightfall on Sunday, October 12.

Followers of the Jewish faith also take the time to reflect and remember our loved ones who are no longer with them. When reflecting during Yom Kippur, Jews observe a special prayer called Yizkor, which is a series of readings and prayers that sets the mood for the solemn service. There are paragraphs where individuals silently chant, recalling the deceased including special passages for a father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter, other relatives, friends, and Jewish martyrs. Additionally, people of the Jewish faith fast for 25 hours from the beginning of the holiday through the evening of the day after the holiday.

Followers of Judaism look forward to the year ahead and pray that when the Lord closes the Book of Life, they continue to be included in its pages!

For more information regarding Yom Kippur, visit Britannica.com. 

*Many people of the Jewish faith do not fully spell out the written word G-d as a sign of respect and reverence for his holiness.