Sunday, September 20, 2026

Yom Kippur, Judaism’s Holiest Day, Begins at Sundown

By STEVEN HERBERT, City News Service

Yom Kippur begins at sundown, with observant Jews fasting and seeking forgiveness for their sins on Judaism’s most solemn day of the year.

According to Jewish tradition, Yom Kippur is the day Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the second set of commandment tablets — he had smashed the first — and announced God’s pardon to the people for worshipping a golden calf.

Observant Jews believe that God inscribes the names of the righteous in the Book of Life on Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, and seals the book on Yom Kippur, 10 days later. For that reason, the traditional greeting among Jews on Yom Kippur is Gemar Chatima Tova, which means “good final sealing” and conveys the wish: “May your name be sealed in the book of life.”

Yom Kippur services begin with the Kol Nidre, an ancient prayer that literally means “all vows” or “all promises.” The last service of the day ends with the sounding of a ram’s horn called a shofar.

Yom Kippur concludes at sundown Monday, ending the 10-day period on the Jewish calendar known as Days of Teshuvah, which is variously translated as repentance, return and change, and the Days of Awe. Many Jews fast on Yom Kippur and spend much of the time in synagogues.

While most congregations require membership and tickets for High Holy Days services, several organizations will conduct free services, including Laugh Factory Hollywood where a 90-minute Kol Nidre service is set for 6 p.m. Sunday, a two-hour service at 11 a.m. Monday and a 90-minute Neilah service at 6 p.m. Monday.

Donations will not be accepted. Instead, the club encourages attendees “to support a charity or cause that is meaningful to you.”

Advance registration at the club’s website, is encouraged, as space is limited.

The services will be streamed on the club’s website, laughfactory.com/hollywood, and its YouTube channel, youtube.com/user/TheLaughFactory.

“People around the world are facing the threat of war, severe economic challenges, and a growing sense of isolation and division,” Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada said in a statement. “Our High Holiday services are about bringing people together to pray with one voice for hope, healing, and peace. These are values that can inspire and uplift us all.”

Free services will also be held at Chabad locations throughout Los Angeles County.

As is customary, law enforcement organizations will conduct increased patrols around Jewish institutions during Yom Kippur services, augmented by private security.