Observe Yom Kippur 2012 in Pikesville

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 of Yom Kippurs begins at sundown.

A service by the Reform Temple Inc. is being held from 1-2 p.m. Sept. 26 at Pikesville High School.

This service is about Classical Reform Judaism, and is presented in English. It's adapted from the Union Prayer Book, according to the temple's Facebook page.

About 1,000 people attended the two High Holy Days services last year, according to founder Susan Wolf Dudley.

At Baltimore Hebrew Congregation there are a variety of events set, beginning with the Yom Kippur Program of Music & Meditation at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 26.

This event will be held in the Dalsheimer Auditorium, at the congregation, 7401 Park Heights Ave.

A guided meditation will be held at 1:45 p.m. Sept. 26 in the congregation's Goodwin Center.

Check out more Yom Kippur events at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation.

Beth Tfiloh Congregation begins its celebration Sept. 25 with the Blessing of the Children at 6:20 p.m., a 6:40 p.m. candlelighting and 7 p.m. sermon.

On Sept. 26, events include the 7:35 p.m. Maariv & Sounding of the Shofar.

For details and more Beth Tfiloh events, visit the Beth Tfiloh Congregation High Holidays Schedule.

Tickets are required for Beth Tfiloh events, but the congregation is giving some tickets for free.

Here are links to more observations of Yom Kippur:

Temple Oheb Shalom: Visit the Shabbat and High Holy Days schedule.

Chizuk Amuno Congregation: Visit the congregation's home page.

Yom Kippur falls annually on the 10th day of Tishrei, a month on the Hebrew calendar that 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, drinking and 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. Try a honey cake, noodle kugel or brisket.

Correction: The date of the event at Pikesville High School was misstated in the original version of this article.

Do you have other Yom Kippur events to announce, or other synagogues you would like mentioned here? Please send them to Editor Janet Metzner at janet.metzner@patch.com, place them in the comments section below this story, or enter them directly into our calendar of events. Feel inspired this season to share? You can also post your own High Holy Days notes, messages, photos or stories in our Local Voices column.