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.
“more than enough lovingkindness for everyone who / needs it …”
New ritual tying the smelling fragrant scents to an intention to hear Isaiah’s call for justice
Avinu Malkeinu sung with new English verses
“Remove the darkness of this endless night”
“We come to claim responsibility.”
“Heavenly Haven, my guardian / Keep me afloat”
“I lift up my face toward the light with expectation”
A Vidui prayer that balances acknowledgment of wrongdoings with noticing the good
“Hold our loved ones close to your heart”
Al Het recalling sins against Black Americans
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
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