Someone has already taken the blame for all of our wrongdoing. But we must acknowledge him as God’s scapegoat, the atonement for our sins.

When a third of Jewish Americans born after 1980 describe themselves as having no religion, how many of us will make an appearance at temple for the High Holidays this year?

A young Jewish man who loved arguing about religion was ready to dismantle the arguments of Jews for Jesus.

We are proud when a Jewish athlete succeeds, but a few have gained even more respect for refusing to play ball on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg recalled his 1934 decision: Both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur came in September… and since we were in the thick of…

Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, falls in 2009 on September 28 (but begins the previous evening). In English it is known as the Day of Atonement. On this day, many Jews whether religious or secular, will be in the synagogue praying to God to forgive their sins. They will listen to the chanting of the cantor and participate in responsive readings. Many will fast; some will walk to synagogue rather than drive; some will not wear leather shoes. A very few will do something many Jews are unfamiliar with: shlogn kapores…

The Liberated Wailing Wall You may know that the Liberated Wailing Wall is our mobile evangelistic music team; but for those who don’t know, the team travels the country in a huge bus, presenting Jewish gospel music, drama and personal testimonies. We sometimes refer to them as our branch on wheels” since they can minister…

Chicago Lyn Bond says, I received the following message on my answering machine: ‘Hello, this is Joyce, trying to call a nurse named Ann; please call me back. If you are not Ann please call me and let me know that I have the wrong number.’ “I called Joyce and said, ‘I am not a…

As believers in Christ we in Jews for Jesus trust only in his atoning sacrifice to bring us salvation. However, because we are burdened for the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel, many of us set aside Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, as a special time of prayer and fasting for our…

If you journeyed back in time 3,500 years and saw Jewish life as our forefathers lived it, you would be astounded at how vastly it differed from today’s practices. Instead of synagogues and Jewish community centers, you would witness a tent-like tabernacle, or at a later date, Solomon’s magnificent Temple. And whether it were Temple…

Dayenu” on Yom Kippur? Whoever heard of such a thing! We sing, “Dayenu” at Passover, not on the Day of Atonement. But in one sense, Dayenu is appropriate on Yom Kippur. Dayenu is a Hebrew word which means, “It is sufficient for us; it is enough.” And on Pesach, we declare, “Dayenu!” in grateful response…

I still remember vividly the Day of Atonement from my tenth year. Though I was not yet bar mitzvah, I insisted that I, too, would fast and take part in the synagogue services, despite my parents’ objections. After all, I wanted my sins forgiven! With childish zeal, I entered into all that made up the…

It was Yom Kippur. I was twelve, and I was fasting for the first time. I woke up early that morning, feeling especially holy and begging my parents to hurry and get dressed. I wanted to be in synagogue to spend the day praying and fasting like other Jews. We sat side by side in…

  A sinful world needs a scapegoat. -T. Lessing, DerJudesche Selbsthass, 1930, Introd. LR 188 We strike from all bequeathed prayerbooks any line that reminds us of the temple and sacrifices. -M. Lilienthal, address, 1876 As soon as one repents, one is forgiven. -Hanina b. Papa, Talmud: Hagiga, 5a We do not ask that our…

Synagogue is hardly the scene to begin a story about believing in Jesus, but it was there my questions started. The somber strains of Kol Nidre still lingered in my mind from the night before. Captured almost mystically in the walls and windows, they reminded me of the fresh opportunity Yom Kippur brought to present…