Geoffrey Goose SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)— Families of the Jewish faith in Central New York and around the world observed Yom Kippur this past weekend.
Yom Kippur is the day of atonement and holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Professor of Judaic Studies at Syracuse University doctor Ken Frieden describes Yom Kippur this way.
“The last day of class is Rosh Hashanah and the next 10 days are the reading period and Yom Kippur is the final exam,” Frieden said.
Observing Jews will fast from sunset to sunset. Something Barnes Center personal trainer Dylan Greenhouse says can be harder than you may think.
“The hardest part is just that you’re hungry, sounds obvious, but you don’t realize how much energy food gives you throughout the day,” Greenhouse said.
Finding ways to celebrate can be difficult for those away from home. S-U athletics employee Jared Aaronson hosted a break-fast dinner, marking the end of fasting. He says it’s nice to celebrate with close friends.
“At home I do a lot of this kind of stuff with close family and close friends, so having this here, at Syracuse is really good. I’ve felt like I’ve found my family: people I feel really comfortable cooking for, letting into my house and having a really good time,” Aaronson said.
The Hotel Skyler, formally Temple Adah Yeshurun was the place where more than 50 years ago, Jared’s grandparents were married.