Message from Morah Yehudit on September 13, 2018:

Welcome, everyone, to another year of Ketzev! It was great to see new faces and veterans around the circle, greet each other, and say Shehechiyanu in gratitude for bringing us to this day.

Aside from establishing new routines, we began our curriculum of Blessings/Brachot that elevate many moments throughout Jewish life. Today's bracha/blessing is the one recited before lighting the candles on the eve of Yom Kippur, said only once the entire year: l'hadlik ner shel Yom HaKippurim. That's the text decorated with lace, reminiscent of the Yom Kippur table containing the final meal before the fast. At closing circle, we also mentioned Kapparot briefly, a symbolic atoning ritual, and shared an opportunity to give tzedakah in the spirit of the day. That is a widespread custom just before lighting candles on Yom Kippur eve.

How will your Yom Kippur be elevated this year?

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom, and a meaningful observance of the day.