Observe Yom Kippur 2012 in Greenwich

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 began at sunset.

Here is a schedule of religious services for Greenwich area synagogues.

• Greenwich Reform Synagogue, 257 Stanwich Rd., Yom Kippur Morning Service at 10 a.m.; Yom Kippur Symposium at 1 p.m.; Young Family Service at 2 p.m., Yizkor Memorial-Neilah Service at 3 p.m.

• Temple Sholom, 300 E. Putnam Ave.: in the Albert and Vera List (Main) Sanctuary (Tickets Required): Shacharit 9:00am; Torah Service 9:45am; Family Services* 10:15am; Musaf 11:00am; Interactive High Holiday Teen Program+ 11:00am; Sermon 11:45am; Yizkor 12:05pm; Musaf (continued) 12:30pm; Avodah 1:00pm; Jewish Mindfulness/ Meditation ** 1:45pm; Mincha 2:45pm; Open to the Community: Young Children’s Family Service 1:45pm; Speaker: Pastor Dee Dee Coleman 4:00pm;  Yizkor II: A Communal Remembrance 5:30pm; N’eilah 6:10pm;  Concluding Shofar 7:10pm;  Ma’ariv Minyan 7:15pm.

(* Family services are held at Greenwich High School, 10 Hillside Rd., Greenwich; ** Takes Place in Tunick Chapel.)

• Congregation Shir Ami (High Holy Day services to be held at Round Hill Community Church, 395 Round Hill Rd., Greenwich). Morning: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; Children's Service: 1 - 2 p.m.; Interlude: 2 - 3 p.m., Afternoon Yizkor Closing: 3 - 6 p.m.

• Chabad Lubavitch, 75 Mason St., Greenwich: Shacharit Morning services: 9 a.m.; Torah reading: 11 a.m.; Family Program: 11 a.m.; Sermon followed by Yizkor service: 11:45 a.m.; Break: 2:30 p.m.; Mincha afternoon service: 4:30 p.m.; Neila-closing service: 6 p.m.; Family Service: 6 p.m.; Shofar Blast, Services Break Fast: 7:25 p.m.

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.