Where to Observe Yom Kippur 2012

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 will begin at sunset.

Service schedules in the Lehigh Valley include the following:

Chabad of the Lehigh Valley, 4457 Crackersport Road, South Whitehall Township

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6:45 p.m. Kol Nidre Service.

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 9:30 a.m., morning services; 11:30 a.m. Yizkor (memorial service); 5:30 p.m., afternoon services; 6:30 p.m. Neilah closing service. Fast ends 7:33 p.m., followed by light refreshments.

Tempel Beth El, 1305 Springhouse Road, South Whitehall Township

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre Service.

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 8:30 a.m. Shacharit; 9:45 a.m., Torah Service, Yizkor & Musaf; 9:45 a.m., Traditional service (Torah, Yizkor & Musaf services); 9:45 a.m., children and teen services; 4 p.m. Jewish Healing Service; 5 p.m. Mincha; 6:30 p.m. Neilah; 6:30 p.m., Jewish Family Program; 7:40 p.m., Shofar Blowing.

Temple Shirat Shalom. Services will be held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St., Allentown.

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., Kol Nidre Service.

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m., Morning Services

Congregation Am Haskalah. Services will be held at the Jewish Community Center, 702 N. 22nd St., Allentown.

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m., Kol Nidre Service.

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 9:30 a.m., Morning Services.

Congregation Keneseth Israel, 2227 Chew St., Allentown.

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 8 p.m., Kol Nidre Service.

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m., Morning Service; 10 a.m., High Holy Day Experience for 2nd-5th graders; 1:30 p.m., Meditation Services; 3 p.m., Afternoon Service; 4:30 p.m. Yizkor Service; 5:30 p.m. Neilah Service; 6:30 p.m., Break-the-Fast.

Congregation Sons of Israel, 2715 Tilghman St., Allentown.

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6:30 a.m., Selichose/Shacharis; 3 p.m., Mincha; 6:35 p.m., Latest Candle Lighting; 6:50 p.m., Kol Nidre; 6:51 p.m., Fast begins.

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 8 a.m., Shacharis; 11 a.m., Sermon and Yizkor; 4 p.m., Mincha; 5:10 p.m., Neilah; 7:34 p.m., Maariv and Children's Havdalah Processional and Fast ends.

Bnai Abraham Synagogue, 1545 Bushkill St., Easton

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6:45 p.m. Kol Nidre Service

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m. Morning Services; 11:30 a.m., Yizkor; 11:45 a.m., Children's Service, Adult Learners/'Chavura' Service; 7:35 p.m., Break Fast

Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St., Easton

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre Service

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 9:15 a.m., Children's Service; 10:30 a.m., Morning Services; 3 p.m., Chanting/Meditation Service; 4:30 p.m., Afternoon Services; 6 p.m., Yizkor Service; 7 p.m., Ne'ilah Service; 8:10 p.m., Break Fast

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 and drinking and with 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, including honey cake, noodle kugel or brisket.