Why Isn’t There School on Yom Kippuer? Yom Kippur Facts for Kids

  • Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday.
  • Yom Kippur means  Day of Atonement.
  • It represents the day the God forgave the Jewish people for the sin of the Golden Calf.
  • Yom Kippuer is considered to be the holiest day of the year for Jewish people.
  • On the Day of Atonement people ask God for forgiveness of their sins.
  • Yom Kippur is a day of fasting and prayer.
  • There are five prayers said during Yom Kippur:
    • Maariv- on the eve of Yom Kippur
    • Shacharrit- morning prayer
    • Musaf
    • Minchah
    • Neilah
  • It is celebrated 10 days after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year.
  • The 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are called the Ten Days of Awe.
  • Yom Kippur begins on the eve of the tenth day of the Tishrei.
  • The Tisheri is the name of the Jewish calendar.
  • On the Jewish calendar the day begins at sunset.
  • On the afternoon before Yom Kippur many eat a large meal with traditional Jewish foods.
  • Before sunset the women and girls light candles.
  • At sunset the fasting begins.
  • The fasting last 25 hours.
  • All girls 12 and up and boys 13 and up fast unless a medical condition prevents it.
  • During Yom Kippur there is no eating, bathing, use of creams, oils or perfumes, and you cannot wear anything leather, including shoes.
  • In celebration of Yom Kippur Jewish people do not work.
  • Many schools are closed.