B’nai Emet observance
Please join your B’nai Emet family for Kol Nidre on Wednesday, October 8 at
6:10 pm. Services on Yom Kippur day, Thursday, October 9, begin
at 8:00 am with the morning service, Torah service, and Yizkor. Young Family
Service
from 10:00 to 11:00, Conversation with Rabbi Selch at 4:30 pm, Minchah at 5:15
pm, the Neilah service
at 6:30 pm. The final shofar blast to conclude Yom Kippur will be at 7:21 pm.
Click here for contact information to
inquire about member tickets and our
guest ticket policy.
What is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. On
that day, we beg forgiveness for our sins with prayer and fasting. We atone for
our sins against God, and we ask forgiveness from those we have wronged. On Yom
Kippur this year, we fast from before sunset on Wednesday, October 8, until
after the final blast of the Shofar (approximately 7:21 pm) on Thursday,
October 9.
What is the significance of the Kol Nidre evening service?
Kol Nidre, which means “all vows,” is probably the most famous prayer in Jewish
liturgy. It is a statement dealing with promises and vows made in the course of
the year. Normally, we are required to keep our word and fulfill our vows. But
on this night, we nullify the binding nature of our personal vows, promises we
make to ourselves that we are not able to keep . Promises given to others are
not nullified. During the service, all Torah scrolls are removed from the Ark
and held before the congregation. The chazzan chants Kol Nidre three times
in order for late-comers to hear the prayer.
 What is
Viddui?
Viddui is confession. This theme of confession is linked to the idea of
teshuvah
(repentance) in our Yom Kippur service. The Torah requires any man or woman who
has sinned against other people or against God to confess the sin. On Yom Kippur
the viddui prayers Ashamnu and Al Chet are spoken several times. The sins are
listed in the order of the alef-bet, and they are stated in the plural: “We have
become guilty…”. Even if one is sure s/he has not committed a particular
misdeed, one confesses to that sin because all Jews are responsible for one
another.
What is the significance of Neilah, the concluding service?
Neilah means “closing the gates.” At the end of this solemn day, as our future
is being sealed, we pray that we are sealed in the Book of Life and that the new
year will bring us goodness and happiness. The Ark remains open during the
entire service, signifying that the gates of heaven are wide open to our
prayers.
Greeting friends
Send a friend your Yom Kippur wishes:
Families Can Enrich Yom Kippur Observance at Home—
Click
here to make a tzedakah box and start the year off right.
Click
here to find ways to discuss teshuvah with your children or grandchildren
Click here
to find Yom Kippur-related craft directions
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