Yom Kippur Day

Definition

Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement in which we engage in a day-long moral inventory of our lives and confess our sins in a public communal confessional which features a litany of transgressions for which we seek pardon, forgiveness and reconciliation. There are also a variety of liturgical prayers that relate to the themes of Yom Kippur. The day long service and fast commences in the morning and continues throughout the day until early evening. (The fast begins the night before.) The Yom Kippur experience is concluded with the sounding of the Shofar, the ancient ram's horn. Prior to the Arrival of Yom Kippur, one is to seek forgiveness from those whom we have wronged.

Service

This year, Yom Kippur is on Thursday, October 9, 2008. Our Service consists of both traditional and modern music with instrumental accompaniment that deepens the Yom Kippur experience. Our rabbis offer inspiring commentary that explains and draws our the deeper meaning of the day. Men and women sit together. The liturgy highlights the themes and central prayers of the day. We also present throughout the day speakers, poetry, reflection time, Bible readings, meditation, and contemplative music. These services are geared for Jews who come from Reform, Conservative and unaffiliated backgrounds.

Schedule

Services begin at 10:45 AM (Doors open at 10:30 AM.) The following is the schedule for the day. Please note the at all times are approximate.

Morning Service

• 10:45 AM - 2:15 PM

Additional Service

• 2:15 PM - 4:15 PM
• The Additional Service features Yom Kippur speakers on Social Action and Personal Themes, Reflective Meditation and Inner Growth time, Contemplative Poetry and Music.

Afternoon Service

• 4:15 PM - 4:45 pm
• The Afternoon Service consists of prayers and Biblical readings including a dramatic presentation of the Book of Jonah

Yizkor/Memorial Service

• 4:45 PM - 6:15 PM
• The Yizkor/Memorial Service includes a Martyrology/Holocaust Remembrance segment with poetry and readings in Yiddish and English, reflections, prayers and chant recalling near and dear ones. This section also features a tribute to 9/11, victims of terrorism, Hurricane Katrina. It concludes with a special Service of Healing, of loss, suffering, grief experienced in the year.

Concluding Neilah Service

• 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM (Ending time is approximate)
• This Concluding Service ends the day with haunting and evocative music and prayers and climaxes with the dramatic torch-lit Havdalah service, Shofar Sounding, and rousing singing and dancing, as we dance our way into the new year. Make it a point to stay for our joyous conclusion! Kids love it, too! And the kids should arrive a bit before 7:30 PM.

See our Eve Definition and Schedule.