While gentiles may be more familiar with Passover and Hanukkah because of their proximity to the Christian holidays of Easter and Christmas, area Jews are amid one of the holiest stretches of the year.
Monday marked Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement and the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. It comes several days after Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year. In addition to asking for forgiveness and attending synagogue services, observant Jews abstain from food and drink for more than 24 hours, refrain from certain earthly pleasures such as bathing, and traditionally wear white.
Yom Kippur also comes days before Sukkot, a seven-day Jewish autumn harvest festival that also commemorates the temporary shelters used during the Israelites' 40-year journey through the desert after leaving Egypt.
Although the holidays may not receive the same attention from the outside as others in the Jewish faith, Congregation Cnesses Israel Cantor Kate Judd says celebrating them is important to continuing Jewish traditions locally.
Congregation Cnesses Israel hosts in-person and Zoom services throughout the year, with additional opportunities available during the fall holidays.
