High Holy Days

Who’s sorry now? Inside Israeli cinema’s Yom Kippur-inspired stories of guilt and redemption

Inspired by Yom Kippur’s themes of atonement, Israeli filmmakers have explored personal, political, and national guilt through stories of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
Hanan Savyon in 'Forgiveness.'
Jews praying for forgiveness (selichot), at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on the eve of Yom Kippur, October 1, 2025

Yom Kippur 2026: The Jewish people are chosen - but not because they are better - opinion

As we recite Ata Behartanu many times during the High Holy Days, let us remember that we were chosen out of God’s love, not because of our own special characteristics.

|ByDAVID GOLINKIN
An illustrative image of a Torah scroll and a shofar for Yom Kippur.

Your Investments: A financial and personal clean slate for Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement is about reflection, repentance, and renewal. Those same principles can guide people toward smarter financial choices and lasting improvement.

|ByAARON KATSMAN
The empty streets in Tel Aviv, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and the holiest of Jewish holidays. Israel came to a standstill for 25-hours during the high holiday of Yom Kippur when observant Jews fast and Israelis are prohibited from driving, October 2, 2025.

Over 250 people injured in Yom Kippur road accidents in 2025, road safety group warns

Over the past decade, approximately 2,472 people were injured in road accidents on Yom Kippur.

|ByUDI ETZION

What role do women have in the Jewish High Holy Days? - opinion

With the approach of the High Holy Days, women are searching for a role that will be neither insignificant nor undervalued.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023ByDVORA WAYSMAN
Scales of Justice: Libra astrological sign at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

Heading mindfully into the High Holy Days

Perhaps, if you haven’t already begun, this too can be your time to begin in earnest to focus on yourself, your values, and your needs.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023ByDR. BATYA L. LUDMAN
PICK THREE things you'd like to work on and write them down.

Jews must prepare for High Holidays bomb threats, security experts warn

Ahead of the High Holidays, when sanctuaries see their highest attendance of the year, synagogues need to review security procedures in order to avoid panic

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023ByRON KAMPEAS/JTA, JACOB GURVIS/JTA
‘IN OSLO, Norway, it was only walking past that allowed me to see the Oslo Synagogue at all. And, merely walking by, I was approached by a security guard who wanted to know what I was doing there,’ says the writer.

Armed guards posted at all Jerusalem synagogues amid rising terror

Every synagogue in Jerusalem will have armed security guards for the upcoming High Holy Days due to an uptick in terror attacks.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
POLICE PATROL outside al-Aqsa Mosque amid clashes in the area this week.

Israelis flock to Ukraine's Uman despite concerns of Russian strikes

Ahead of Rosh Hashanah Israelis take trains from Poland to reach Uman in Ukraine.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023ByLAURA KELLY
People line up to reach Ukraine on a train, some of them Israelis and Jews from around the world seeking to get to Uman ahead of Rosh Hashanah.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir clash on Palestinian prisoners' rights

Netanyahu stressed that any decision on prisoners would be made "exclusively" by the prime minister and the cabinet.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023ByANNA BARSKY, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir during a discussion and a vote in the assembly hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem. March 6, 2023.

Happy New Year: Time to drink

A list of alcoholic beverages for Rosh Hashanah and for after Yom Kippur.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023ByJAY ROSEN
Spiced Pumpkin Old Fashioned

Holding out for a hero: The story of prophets and God's plan - opinion

They are the paradigms of what our leaders can and should be, and they define their mission to inspire us to greatness and raise each of us to a level one step higher to the Almighty.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023BySTEWART WEISS
JONAH HAD to descend to the deepest part of the ocean to reclaim his faith.

50,000 Jewish worshipers gather for Slihot prayers at Western Wall

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation called on worshippers to come early in order to spread out the crowds for safety and welfare purposes.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Central Slihot services at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on September 7, 2023

Rising prices and financial struggles impact High Holy Days season

IFCJ launches aid operation to support needy families amid the High Holy Days.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023ByZACHY HENNESSEY
An illustrative image of a financial graph and shopping bag, symbolizing rising prices and wages.