Community Corner

Observe Yom Kippur 2012 Near Wheaton

Find out where and how to observe the Jewish holiday in your community.

Yom Kippur is, in short, 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. On Sept. 25, observation will begin at sunset.

Local places of worship 

Congregation Etz Chaim, 1710 South Highland Ave., Lombard

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  • Service schedule Tuesday, Sept. 25: 8:15 p.m., Kol Nidrei Service
  • Wednesday, Sept. 26: 10 a.m., Yom Kippur Morning Service; 1:15 p.m., Children's Yom Kippur Service; 3:30 p.m., Yom Kippur Afternoon Service

Congregation Beth Shalom, 772 West 5th Ave., Naperville 

  • Service schedule, Tuesday, Sept. 25: 6 p.m., Traditional Kol Nidrei; 6:25 p.m., candle lighting; 7 p.m., Kol Nidrei
  • Wednesday, Sept. 26: 9:30 a.m., Yom Kippur and Torah Tot Service; 10 a.m., Junior Congregation and Kibbutz Katan Song Service; 3 p.m., Family Service; 4:30 p.m., Yizkor, Mikha, N'eila; 7:23 p.m., Havdalah (42 min)

Chabad Jewish Center of Naperville, 1935 Brookdale Rd., Naperville

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  • Service schedule, Tuesday, Sept. 25: 6:45 p.m., Yom Kippur and Kol Nidrei services
  • Wednesday, Sept. 26: 9:30 a.m., Yom Kippur services

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 synagogue 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.


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