Yom Kippur begins at sundown Sept. 20 and ends at nightfall Sept. 21. Temple Sinai of North Dade published a family guide to the holiest day of the Jewish year, walking Aventura-area families through the 25-hour fast, four services and ways children can take part.
Holiday Caps 10 Days of Repentance
The holiday, also called the Day of Atonement, falls 10 days after Rosh Hashanah and caps the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah, or Ten Days of Repentance. On the Hebrew calendar, it corresponds to 10 Tishrei 5787.
Written by Ben Rudnick and published Thursday, Sept. 3, the guide addresses families in Aventura, North Miami Beach and surrounding communities.
"But at its heart, Yom Kippur is an extraordinarily hopeful tradition," Rudnick wrote. "It begins with the assumption that we can change."
Fasting Rules Allow Exceptions for Children, Health
Observant adults traditionally abstain from food and drink for 25 hours. Children do not need to fast. Jewish tradition also recognizes exceptions for people whose health could be affected.
Four Services Trace the Day From Kol Nidre to Neilah
Yom Kippur opens with Kol Nidre on the evening of Sept. 20. Rudnick described it as one of the most recognizable services of the Jewish year, with melodies that have connected generations of families.
The schedule continues Sept. 21 with Yom Kippur Morning services, followed by Yizkor and then Neilah. Yizkor, meaning "remember," is a memorial service honoring loved ones who have died. Neilah, meaning "closing," refers to the closing of the metaphorical gates of judgment and ends with a final blast of the shofar.
Specific service times were not listed in the guide. Families can check Temple Sinai's website for confirmed schedules.
Kids Can Take Part Without Fasting
Rudnick's guide notes that children can participate without fasting. Options include attending age-appropriate services, asking questions, creating artwork, reading Jewish stories or taking part in acts of kindness. Temple Sinai also offers children's programming through Gan Sinai Preschool and the Sinai Learning Lab, both part of its I AM Sinai program.
Repentance Concept Centers on Repairing Relationships
The Hebrew concept of teshuvah, often translated as "repentance" but also understood as "return," sits at the center of Yom Kippur. Jewish tradition teaches that the holiday can help repair one's relationship with God, but that repairing relationships with other people requires direct action: apology, amends and conversation.
After Neilah, families and communities often break the fast together, moving from reflection to food and conversation. Temple Sinai said it welcomes members, guests and those experiencing the High Holidays with the community for the first time.
Free Seats Available at Area Synagogues This Season
As we reported Thursday, Sept. 3, several Aventura-area synagogues are offering free High Holy Day seats this season. North Dade, and Aventura in particular, is home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the Greater Miami area, according to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Families looking for Yom Kippur service details can contact Temple Sinai of North Dade through its website.
