Yom Kippur
Religious ยท Date set each year
Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement, a solemn day of fasting, prayer and reflection observed by Jewish communities across the United States.
Yom Kippur falls on Monday, October 11, 2027. That is 349 days away.
Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, the most solemn day of the Jewish year. It is a day set aside for looking honestly at the past year, asking forgiveness, and starting again with a clearer conscience.
The day comes at the end of a stretch of reflection that begins with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Like other Jewish holidays, it starts at sundown and ends at nightfall the following evening. Many observant adults fast for the full day, going without food or water, and set aside ordinary comforts and routines.
Much of the day is spent in synagogue. The evening service opens with Kol Nidre, a prayer chanted with a melody many people know well. Through the next day, services include prayers of confession said together as a community, and a memorial service called Yizkor for loved ones who have died. Some people wear white as a sign of purity and renewal. The day closes with a final service called Neilah, and the sounding of the shofar, a horn traditionally made from a ram's horn.
Before the day begins, it is customary to seek out people one may have wronged and ask their forgiveness directly, since the tradition teaches that repairing things with other people is part of the work. After the closing service, families and friends often gather for a meal to break the fast, frequently something simple like bagels, eggs, fish and kugel.
For those who are not Jewish, a respectful greeting such as "have an easy fast" or "may you be sealed for a good year" is a common and kind way to acknowledge the day.
Ways to celebrate
- Learn what Kol Nidre and Neilah mean within the Yom Kippur service.
- Offer Jewish friends or colleagues a respectful wish for an easy fast.
- Be mindful when scheduling meetings or meals with those observing.
- Take time to reflect quietly on the past year and mend a relationship.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, September 21 |
| 2027 | Monday, October 11 |
| 2028 | Saturday, September 30 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, September 19 |
| 2030 | Monday, October 7 |
All national days on October 11
Also on October 11
Categories: Religious days