Embracing Diversity: 5 Things to Know About Yom Kippur
At Tessa International School, we take pride in the variety of cultures that make up our community. We have the chance to learn about and respect traditions from all over the world. Today, we’ll explore the heart of Jewish culture by looking at five important aspects of Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement.
Understanding Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is a significant day in the Jewish calendar. It falls on the 10th day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Jewish year. This day is all about thinking, saying sorry, and making things right with God and other people. Jewish people worldwide use this day to ask for forgiveness for their mistakes and start the new year with a clean slate.
A Day of Fasting and Prayer
On Yom Kippur, Jewish people don’t eat or drink for 25 hours. This is a way to show self-control and get spiritually clean. People spend the day thinking deeply and praying. They go to special meetings at their synagogues. The prayers focus on admitting mistakes, saying sorry, and asking God for forgiveness.
Thinking About Our Actions
At Tessa International School, we believe in looking at ourselves and trying to become better individuals. Yom Kippur is a lot like that. Jewish people use this day to think about what they did in the past year and how they can be better in the coming year. It’s a reminder for all of us to think about our actions and try to improve.
The Sound of the Shofar
The shofar is an important part of Yom Kippur. It’s made from a ram’s horn and makes special sounds at the end of the holiday. This ancient instrument means waking up, thinking, and changing. Hearing the shofar reminds us to start fresh and try to become better people.
Our students practicing playing the Shofar
Seeking Forgiveness
Yom Kippur teaches us to say sorry to others and make things right when we’ve done something wrong. This lesson fits well with our school’s goal of making a friendly and inclusive community. By learning about Yom Kippur, we can understand why it’s important to say sorry and forgive others.
Tessa International School is a place where we can learn about and celebrate many different cultures and traditions. Learning about Yom Kippur can help us see the value of thinking, saying sorry, and trying to become better people, no matter where we’re from. By appreciating the traditions of different cultures, we make our school community stronger and better. Let’s keep learning from each other and growing together as we celebrate the rich mix of cultures that make our school special!
