Yom Kippur and the High Holidays are an important and unique time in the Jewish calendar, which everyone observes differently. Join us for an alternative Yom Kippur gathering that asks: What can we do on this day if we can’t fast?

We’ll begin with an informal lunch where participants are invited to bring their own lunch to eat together. We also ask everyone to bring a shelf-stable food donation to be given to a local food pantry.

After lunch, we’ll gather for a brief text study and discussion exploring why fasting is part of certain Jewish holidays and what Jewish texts say about alternatives for those who are unable to fast. We’ll also draw on more contemporary resources that offer ways to observe Yom Kippur without fasting.

Finally, we’ll head outside to do some garden work together at MaTovu. Come share a space designed for anyone who doesn’t fast on Yom Kippur, for whatever reason, and explore other ways of making the holiday meaningful through learning, community, generosity, and caring for our shared space.