A Day of Atonement
On Yom Kippur, we fast, pray, and reflect, seeking forgiveness and renewal. This solemn, hopeful day invites introspection and communal support, helping us turn inward, amend our ways, and return to our best selves.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, often called the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Many observe a 25-hour fast, abstaining from food and drink to focus on prayer, repentance, and moral introspection.
At CBSRZ, our Yom Kippur services guide congregants through liturgy, including the Kol Nidre prayer on the eve of the holiday. Throughout the day, we recite confessional prayers, acknowledging collective and individual shortcomings. The final Neilah service closes the Ten Days of Teshuvah, marked by the symbolic closing of the heavenly gates. As we reaffirm our values and seek forgiveness from each other and God, Yom Kippur offers the promise of spiritual renewal. We emerge with gratitude and renewed commitment to bettering ourselves and our community.
After the closing services of Yom Kippur, we host a communal breakfast to mark the end of the day-long fast with a joyous gathering, where we share food, reflect on the holiday’s meaning, and celebrate renewal and community.