Yom Kippur Today – Jewish Calendar's Holiest Day

Yom Kippur, which begins Tuesday, Sept. 25, at sundown, is the holiest day of the year in Jewish religion and culture. It is also referred to as the “Day of Atonement,” and the tradition is to solemnly fast for repentance and atonement of sins.

Yom Kippur marks the end of the annual High Holy Day period (Sept. 16 to Sept. 26 in 2012), which begins with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Yom Kippur falls annually on the 10th day of Tishrei, a month on the Hebrew calendar, which is nine days after the first day of Rosh Hashanah.

To observe Yom Kippur, one should eat and drink festively the day before – once early in the day and once later, before Kol Nidrei synagogue services. Then, for almost 25 hours, the day is spent in the temple  without eating, drinking and other restrictions.

To observe the High Holy Days and holiday period before Kol Nidrei and after the Yom Kippur fast, many Jewish specialties are made. But there are a few staples that usually make their way onto the table. Try a honey cake or noodle kugel.

Services Tuesday evening:

• Temple Torat Yisrael (because their new temple is under construction, services will be held in the social hall at the East Greenwich United Methodist Church, 1558 South County Trail, East Greenwich) at 6 p.m.
• Temple Sinai (30 Hagen Ave., Cranston) at 8 p.m.
• Temple Am David (40 Gardiner St., Warwick) at 6 p.m. (Mincha), 6:10 p.m. (Kol Nidre) and 6:19 p.m. (Candle Lighting)

Services Wednesday:

• Temple Torat Yisrael (1558 South County Trail, East Greenwich) at 8:30 a.m. Yom Kippur Shaharit (Morning) Services; 10 a.m. Children's Yom Kippur Services followed by supervision for younger children (until 1 p.m.); and 5:45 p.m. Yom Kippur Ma'ariv (Evening) /N'ilah (Concluding) Services.

• Temple Am David (40 Gardiner St., Warwick) at 9 a.m. (Morning Service); 10:30 a.m. (Junior Congregation and Tot Shabbat); 11 a.m. (Sermon/Yiskor); 4:10 p.m. (Study); 4:50 p.m. (Mincha); 6:05 p.m. (Ne'ilah); and 7:20 p.m. (Shofar/Havdalah).