Today is Yom Kippur, the day of atonement for Jews all over the world. This is the day set aside by the Jewish people to look back and make amends for wrongs they may have committed consciously or unconsciously against God and others.
Locally, many Jews will be attending services at local temples marking one of the most important days in the Jewish Calendar. It is the end of the High Holy Days which began 10 days ago with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
For many Jews, the holiday began last night with Kol Nidre services and continues today with Yom Kippur services and a day of fasting which concluded by sun down with the sound of the shofar (a ram’s horn) signaling the end of the holy day.
Jews greet each other today with the same greeting used on Rosh Hashanah, “Shanah Tovah,” but often add, “may you have an easy fast.”
Mayor Eric Garcetti, Congressman Ted Lui, former City Controller Wendy Gruel, and Windsor Square resident and mayoral candidate Mitchell Schwartz attended Kol Nidre services last night at Temple Israel of Hollywood.
For those who are homebound or unable to attend, Temple Israel is live streaming services today.
Shanah Tovah!