This year Yom Kippur takes place from the evening of 15th September to the evening of 16th September 2021; ten days after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.  Yom Kippur means Day of Atonement. It is the most sacred and solemn day in the Jewish calendar.

Yom Kippur is a day to reflect on the past year and ask God’s forgiveness for any sins. Jewish people do not tend to work or go to school on this day.

Within the Nurseries we will explore the story of Yom Kippur and how Yom Kippur is marked.  When the Israelite’s left Egypt, they went to Mount Sinai.  Moses climbed to the top of the mountain and God gave him two tablets with the Ten Commandments on them.  The first commandment told people that they should not worship anyone other than God.  However, when Moses went down the mountain he found the Israelites worshipping a golden calf.  Moses was so angry that he threw the sacred tablets on the floor and they shattered.  The Israelites then atoned for their wrong-doing.  God forgave them and gave Moses a second set of tablets.

To mark the day of Yom Kippur, Jewish people fast for 25 hours.  They also wear white, and don’t wear make-up, perfume or leather shoes.  The most important part of Yom Kippur is the time spent in the synagogue.