Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is one of the holiest days in Judaism. On October 2nd, many Jewish students from UPrep spent the day focusing on reflection, as they sought forgiveness and atonement for the year ahead.
Yom Kippur marks the end of the 10 High Holy Days (Yamim Noraim), which begin on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. According to the American Jewish Committee, Yom Kippur is a solemn day on the Jewish calendar, marked by repentance, prayer and fasting, as individuals seek forgiveness for sins committed in the past year and strive for reconciliation with God.
Senior Noah Roth is Jewish and celebrates Yom Kippur every year.
“It’s considered the most holy day of the year,” Roth said. “It’s really about atonement. You’re normally supposed to fast during it.”
During Yom Kippur, Roth often fasts and usually breaks his fast with his family in the evening.
“Post-fasting, we eat a meal called break fast, which is basically breakfast for dinner,” Roth said. “Normally, we eat bagels, smoked salmon, and cream cheese.”
Junior Caleb Goldberg is also Jewish and fasts during Yom Kippur. Along with fasting, he and his family also go to the synagogue for prayer services.
“We go to Kol Nidre, which is the night before Yom Kippur,” Goldberg said. “The holiday starts half an hour before sundown the night before Yom Kippur and ends half an hour after sundown on the day of, 25 hours later.”
In addition to going to the synagogue the night before, Goldberg also goes on the day of Yom Kippur.
“On the day of Yom Kippur, my family usually spends most of the day at the synagogue; it’s really a full day of praying and learning,” Goldberg said.
Roth also attends services during Yom Kippur and enjoys going with others.
“We have this one group of family friends that we go over to each year for Yom Kippur, and we go to services at the synagogue,” Roth said.
Because of UPrep’s relationship with Temple Beth Am, UPrep does not have school on major Jewish holidays such as Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah so that Temple Beth Am can use the classrooms. Even though UPrep has the day off on Yom Kippur every year, Goldberg says that Yom Kippur isn’t a day of celebration like Rosh Hashanah, but rather a day of seriousness.
“Yom Kippur is about forgiveness, reflection, and atonement for your sins,” Goldberg said.
