Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, begins today at sundown. The holiday is observed with a day of fasting and prayer as penance for past sins. The shofar—an ancient instrument crafted from a ram’s horn—is sounded tomorrow at sunset to signal the closing of Yom Kippur, and an end to the day-long fast.
In observance of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Museum will close at 2 pm today through tomorrow, Wednesday, September 19. We reopen on Thursday, September 20 at 11 am.
Chag Purim Sameach! The holiday of Purim is one of the most lively and festive holidays on the Jewish calendar, celebrating the salvation of the Jewish People from Haman, the prime minister of the ancient Persian Empire, who sought to annihilate them. Purim traditions include the exchange of food and sweets, as seen in Marc Chagall’s mural study, in which two adults prepare to exchange gifts.
