For many, Yom Kippur can be a challenging day that brings up a lot of negative emotions. It might involve spending hours at synagogue, fending off hunger pains, or feeling shame about past behavior.
For you, that might not work.
Perhaps you’ve been searching for a way acknowledge Yom Kippur that feels more relevant, accessible, fun, and…dare we say…alternative?! If so, you’ve come to the right place. GatherDC is offering a few Alternative Yom Kippur experiences to help you celebrate this beautiful holiday in a way that is authentic to you.
All of these experiences are open to Jewish and Jew-curious young adults of all gender identities, sexual orientations, backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities, and levels of religiosity.
Here is our plan for the day:
Rabbi llana Zietman will be leading Gather’s Alternative Yom Kippur Experience at Engine Company 12. This is not a traditional service. It’s not in a synagogue. It’s non-denominational. There is no fasting required – though no food will be served. It’s a welcoming, inclusive space open to any young adult who is Jewish, Jew-ish, or Jew-curious. Together, we will explore the themes of the holiday through journaling, personal and group reflection, music, poetry, and more.
GatherDC will be bringing together a small group to prepare food or sort clothing donations for those facing hunger and homelessness at SOME, So Others Might Eat.
A celebratory, potluck style break the fast dinner at GatherDC’s townhouse. We will provide the bagels and schmear and invite you to bring a vegetarian dish, drink, or dessert to share. Space is limited.
Rabbi Ilana Zietman Community Rabbi
Rabbi Ilana loves meeting new people and creating real and meaningful connections with them. As GatherDC’s Community Rabbi, she is thrilled that she gets to meet young Jews all over the city. She loves exploring Jewish ideas that are relevant and alive for people in their 20’s and 30’s. Rabbi Ilana is excited to help people find their own unique connections to Judaism and Jewish life and create new expressions that are so needed today. She can’t wait to continue Gather’s work of creating spaces where people can question, explore, laugh, grow and find themselves and community. She received her rabbinic ordination from Hebrew College in Greater Boston.
