• Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. It follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. For those ten days, Jews are given the chance to reflect and apologise for their sins.
  • Adults fast from sundown the night before Yom Kippur and continue until one hour after sunset on Yom Kippur.
  • Fasting is a way of reflecting and repenting for our sins and helps keep our minds on the theme of forgiveness.
  • On Yom Kippur, Jews ask God to pardon us for our sins. We also apologize to all the people we may have hurt during the previous year.
  •  A special prayer book, or Mahzor is used in the Synagogue to pray with.
  • Yom Kippur is ushered in while it is still light out with a powerful and ancient prayer called Kol Nidrei (All Vows) .
  • Yom Kippur closes with a unique and emotionally powerful service called Neilah,where the Shofar is blown.
  • Many people wear all white on Yom Kippur as a sign of purity and refrain from working.
  • The holiday usually ends with a celebratory ‘break- the fast’ feast at sundown.