Jewish community prepares for Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, considered to the most important holiday in the Jewish faith, runs from sunset on Oct. 11 until nightfall on Oct. 12.

Yom Kippur, meaning “Day of Atonement,” marks the culmination of the 10 Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Yom Kippur is observed with a 25-hour fast and a special religious service.

Observance: The Torah (Jewish bible) commands all Jewish adults (apart from the sick, the elderly and women who have just given birth) to abstain from eating and drinking between sundown on the evening before Yom Kippur and nightfall the following day. The fast is believed to cleanse the body and spirit, not to serve as a punishment. Religious Jews observe additional restrictions on bathing, washing, using cosmetics and wearing leather shoes. The prohibitions are intended to prevent worshippers from focusing on material possessions and superficial comforts.

Traditions & Symbols of Yom Kippur:

• Pre-Yom Kippur feast: On the eve of Yom Kippur, families and friends gather for a bountiful feast that must be finished before sunset. The idea is to generate strength for 25 hours of fasting.
• Breaking of the fast: After the final Yom Kippur service, many people return home for a festive meal. It traditionally consists of breakfast-like comfort foods such as blintzes (pancakes), noodle pudding and various baked goods.
• Wearing white: It is customary for religious Jews to dress in white — a symbol of purity — on Yom Kippur. Some married men wear kittels — white burial shrouds — to signify repentance.
• Charity: Some Jews make donations or volunteer their time in the days leading up to Yom Kippur. This is seen as a way to atone and seek God’s forgiveness. One ancient custom known as kapparot involves swinging a live chicken or bundle of coins over one’s head while reciting a prayer. The chicken or money is then given to the poor.

Yom Kippur services

Where: Congregation Kol Ami, 3919 Moran Road, Tampa
Services:
Oct 11: Kol Nidre at 7 p.m.
Oct. 12: Yom Kippur/Yizkor at 9 a.m.; Mincha at 5:45 p.m.; and, Neilah at 6:45 p.m.
For information, call (813) 962-6338, or visit KolAmi.org.

Where: Congregation Mekor Shalom, 14005A N. Dale Mabry Highway
Services:
Oct. 11: Kol Nidrei at 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 12: Yom Kippur at 9 a.m.; and, Minha, Ma’ariv, Neilah & Shofar Blast at 7:45 p.m.
For information, call (813) 963-1818, or visit MekorShalom.org.

Where: Congregation Beth Am, 2030 W. Fletcher Ave.
Services:
Oct 11: Kol Nidre at 8 p.m.
Oct. 12: Yom Kippur morning service at 10 a.m.; and, Yom Kippur afternoon, Yizkor, N’eila Final Shofar at 4:30 p.m.
For information, call (813) 968-8511, or visit BethAmTampa.org.

Where: Chabad at Wiregrass, 2124 Ashley Oaks Circle in Wesley Chapel
Services:
Oct 11: Yom Kippur at 7 p.m.
Oct. 12: Yom Kippur morning service at 10 a.m.; Yizkor memorial service at 12 p.m.; Afternoon & Neilah closing service at 5:30 p.m.; and, Shofar Blast at 7:38 p.m.
For information, call (813) 642-3244, or visit ChabadAtWiregrass.com.

Published October 5, 2016