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Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, falls ten days after Rosh Hashanah. When the Temple stood in Jerusalem, the High Priest effected atonement for the entire people through an elaborate ritual. Today, in the absence of the Temple, each of us stands, alone, together, naked as it were, before God. Yom Kippur is the dramatic culmination of the entire season of teshuvah, repentance. On Yom Kippur, Jews abstain from eating, drinking, bathing, sexual relations, and the wearing of leather (a sign of luxury) for 25 hours. Jews dress in white and traditionally spend most of the day in synagogue.

Latest Rituals

“With kindness, hope and strength Trusting in your process / May your insights become clear / Lifting you back to Divine Wisdom…”
close up of person's hands on their chest outdoors in sunlight
“A fiery serpent / reproaching me for slithering away / from atoning for my transgressions?”
a brown and white copperhead snake set against brown rocks
“Birth canal of sound / Twisting and spiraling through time and space…”
a shofar with jars of honey and apples
Dedicated to Linda Hirschhorn and inspired by her sermon on Unetaneh Tokef 5765
a tree against water. clouds and sunrise
“Who will I be / as this stormy year unfolds?”
big ocean waves in a storm
“I didn’t fast on Yom Kippur / But I mended my relationship with my spouse and children by being present in the moment and honest about my feelings in a positive way…”
clouds in a bright blue sky
An original Al cheit prayer focused on reproductive rights
a person who is wearing a lab coat and latex gloves rests their hand on the hand of a person wearing a dress
“Today, do not take your hunger for granted, and likewise, do not take your food tomorrow as a given…”
a yellow butterfly
“May we never forget that we are all connected, historically, relationally, energetically, and that harm to one is harm to all.”
the sun is setting in an orange sky with purple sky on top of the orange. Wildflowers appear in the forefront of the sunset.
“I leave my safe haven / this night of purity and sighs”
close up of fig tree leaves and branches against blue sky

The Reconstructionist Network

Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement

Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

Join author Evonne Marzouk to find ways to strengthen your experience as a spiritual being, expand your consciousness and deepen your ability to be present. Through study and creative writing, you’ll take away new strategies to use in daily life. 

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