Yom Kippur: Overview
The culmination of the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) is the fast day of Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). This is the day at the conclusion of which, according to tradition, God seals the Books of Life and Death for the coming year. The day is devoted to communal repentance for sins committed over the course of the previous year. Because of the nature of Yom Kippur and its associated rituals, it is the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar.
Yom Kippur Resource 1: Quick Facts
Below you can download decorative holiday “Quick Facts” cards that can be easily used on bulletin boards, as place settings, or as informational handouts at your Yom Kippur event. You can also view short, informative articles on Yom Kippur.
“Quick Facts” Cards
Yom Kippur 101
Articles
Short overview of Yom Kippur
More articles on Yom Kippur from MyJewishLearning.com
Yom Kippur Resource 2: Program Ideas and Creative Connections
Looking for good Yom Kippur themes/discussion ideas? TCI would be happy to come to your school to help you present these or other interesting themes and provide you with resources to help you facilitate discussions of your own!
The Story of Jonah
The Book of Jonah tells the tale of a man who tries to escape his fate, and the results of his actions. It is a story that leads to interesting discussion on fate, destiny, and free will.
What is Sin?
Yom Kippur marks the end of a period of self-reflection at the beginning of the Jewish year, and we recognize areas in our lives where we have “missed the mark.” Different religions and cultures view the concepts of sin and repentance in a variety of ways. An interfaith panel of faculty or other community members could begin an interesting discussion.
Shared Break-Fast!
The High Holidays often coincide with the Month of Ramadan in the Muslim religion. Exploring the role that fasting plays in religious experience can lead to fruitful discussion. If Yom Kippur actually falls during Ramadan, explore the possibility of a shared Break-Fast.
Martyrdom
There is a part of the traditional Yom Kippur service which invoked the memory and stories of martyrs in Jewish history. While often controversial, the theme of martyrdom can lead to interesting discussions across different faiths.
A Time of Remembrance
Traditionally, the Yizkor service is recited during Yom Kippur. This is an opportunity to remember friends and family we have lost over the years and honor their memories. The value placed on individual and communal memory is one that is repeated over and over again in the Jewish tradition.
The Shofar Call to Action
The shofar (ram’s horn) is blown in a series of notes at different points in the service on Rosh Hashanah, and again at the end of Yom Kippur. It has long been a call to action, and represents a spiritual alarm clock, waking us from slumber and forcing us to look at the changes we must make in your lives. We recognize the possibilities in both the personal and communal realms if we take action and work towards positive growth and change.
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