Greetings for Yom Kippur in the Lehigh Valley

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 will begin at sunset.

Here are service schedules:

Bnai Abraham Synagogue, 1545 Bushkill St., Easton

 * Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25. 6:45 p.m. Kol Nidre Service

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26 9 a.m., Morning Services 11:30 a.m. Yizkor 11:45 a.m. Children's Service, Adult Learners/'Chavura' Service 7:35 p.m. Break Fast

Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St., Easton

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre Service
* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26 9:15 a.m., Children's Service 10:30 a.m. Morning Services 3 p.m. Chanting/Meditation Service 4:30 p.m. Afternoon Services 6 p.m. Yizkor Service7 p.m. Ne'ilah Service 8:10 p.m. Break Fast

Chabad of the Lehigh Valley, 4457 Crackersport Road

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6:45 p.m. Kol Nidre Service.

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 9:30 a.m., morning services; 11:30 a.m. Yizkor (memorial service); 5:30 p.m., afternoon services; 6:30 p.m. Neilah closing service. Fast ends 7:33 p.m., followed by light refreshments.

Congregation Am Haskalah. Services held at the Jewish Community Center, 702 N. 22nd St., Allentown.

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m., Kol Nidre Service.

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 9:30 a.m., Morning Services.

Congregation Sons of Israel, 2715 Tilghman St., Allentown.

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6:30 a.m., Selichose/Shacharis; 3 p.m., Mincha; 6:35 p.m., Latest Candle Lighting; 6:50 p.m., Kol Nidre; 6:51 p.m., Fast begins.

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 8 a.m., Shacharis; 11 a.m., Sermon and Yizkor; 4 p.m., Mincha; 5:10 p.m., Neilah; 7:34 p.m., Maariv and Children's Havdalah Processional and Fast ends.

Temple Beth El, 1305 Springhouse Road

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre Service.

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 8:30 a.m. Shacharit; 9:45 a.m., Torah Service, Yizkor & Musaf; 9:45 a.m., Traditional service (Torah, Yizkor & Musaf services); 9:45 a.m., children and teen services; 4 p.m. Jewish Healing Service; 5 p.m. Mincha; 6:30 p.m. Neilah; 6:30 p.m., Jewish Family Program; 7:40 p.m., Shofar Blowing.

 2227 Chew St., Allentown.

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 8 p.m., Kol Nidre Service.

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m., Morning Service; 10 a.m., High Holy Day Experience for 2nd-5th graders; 1:30 p.m., Meditation Services; 3 p.m., Afternoon Service; 4:30 p.m. Yizkor Service; 5:30 p.m. Neilah Service;

Temple Shirat Shalom. Services will be held at The Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St., Allentown.

* Erev Yom Kippur, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., Kol Nidre Service.

* Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m., Morning Services

Yom Kippur falls annually on the 10th day of Tishrei, a month on the Hebrew calendar, which 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.