Yom Kippur Reflections 5787/2026

Yom Kippur Reflections 5787/2026

Each year on Yom Kippur, I reflect on the lessons of the past year and the intentions I want to carry forward. This year, much of that reflection brings me back to my Judaism.

I have always been Jewish, but over the past year, I began asking a different question: What does it mean not only to be Jewish, but to live Jewishly?

I began lighting Shabbat candles. I took a class about Shabbat and experienced my first fully observant Shabbat. I deepened my relationship with Jewish prayer (davening) and explored emunah, a Hebrew word that encompasses faith and trust. I learned more about the rhythms of the Jewish calendar, from counting the Omer to discovering the meaning of Tu B’Av. I sought out Jewish creative and spiritual communities, traveled to New York with Souled, and eventually began studying Biblical Hebrew and pursuing deeper Jewish learning through ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, a seminary and learning community.

These experiences have made Judaism feel less like something I simply identify with and more like something I actively live. Lighting Shabbat candles changes the rhythm of an ordinary Friday evening. Studying Hebrew allows me to look at words I have known for years and begin to understand them differently. Learning about prayer, holidays, and the rhythms of the Jewish calendar has deepened my connection to a tradition that has always belonged to me.

I felt that connection especially deeply when I recently found a High Holiday prayer book that belonged to my great-grandfather George. As I held it, I thought about his hands holding the same book and the prayers that have traveled through my family across generations.

Teshuvah, a central theme of Yom Kippur, is often translated as repentance, but more literally means return. This year, I have come to think of returning not as going backward, but as coming home with new understanding. We do not return empty-handed or unchanged. We bring our questions, experiences, and hopes with us.

This deepening connection has also taken place during a time of profound division. I have always been drawn to people from different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. My father used to say that my group of friends looked like the United Nations. Yet since October 7, I have also felt a stronger need to be around other Jewish people who understand why certain events, words, and conversations can feel deeply personal without requiring an explanation.

As I have been learning more about Yom Kippur, one detail has stayed with me: its confessions are written in the plural. Ashamnu means “we have sinned.” The prayer does not say, “They have sinned,” or even only, “I have sinned.” It asks us to stand together and say, “We.”

Yom Kippur is a serious day, centered on judgment and atonement. Yet the English word “sin” can sound harsh and final in a way that does not fully reflect the Jewish understanding. One Hebrew word used in Yom Kippur’s confessions is chet, which can mean “missing the mark.” Yom Kippur does not ask us to declare that we are bad people. It asks us to acknowledge that we are human, that we sometimes fall short, and that we are still responsible for making amends, returning to what matters, and trying again.

The use of “we” does not mean that every person is responsible for every wrongdoing or that all actions are equally harmful. To me, it suggests that responsibility is both personal and collective. We are responsible for our own choices, but we are also part of families, communities, and a larger world that we help shape.

At a time when people are so often divided into “us” and “them,” Yom Kippur asks us to begin with “we.” It challenges us to consider not only what others have done, but what each of us can do differently to create more understanding, compassion, and connection.

As I enter Yom Kippur, I keep thinking about what it would mean to carry the word “we” beyond the prayer book. For me, it begins with recognizing when my desire to be understood prevents me from fully listening. It also means holding my convictions without losing my curiosity and remembering that understanding does not require agreement. We may not heal every division, but we can take responsibility for what we bring into our relationships, our communities, and the world.

Intentions for 5787

Make More Space for Writing and Meaningful Conversations

Writing has always been one of the ways I reflect, make sense of my experiences, and connect with others. This year, I want to blog more consistently and continue my Empowering Interview Series.

Become More Involved in Interfaith Work

I want to become more involved in interfaith work by contributing to conversations, programs, and projects that bring people together across religious differences. I hope to help create spaces where people can learn from one another and feel seen, heard, and that they belong.

Continue Discovering What It Means to Live Jewishly

I want to continue exploring my Jewish identity by learning Hebrew and deepening my connection to Shabbat, prayer, and community. I want to keep asking questions, trying new practices, and remaining open to where this path may lead me.

Keep Showing Up When It Feels Uncomfortable

I have already shown myself that I can step into unfamiliar situations and take on new roles even when I feel nervous or unsure. This year, I want to remember that discomfort is not a reason to step back. I can feel uncomfortable and still move forward.

As I enter 5787, I carry deep gratitude for the rich Jewish experiences of the past year, for the people who have shown up for me, for my family and loved ones, and for my body, which continues to carry me through each day.

I also carry prayers for healing and renewed strength; guidance toward the life and work I am meant to build; health and well-being for the people I love; clarity where there is uncertainty; and the ability to release what I no longer need to carry. I hope the coming year brings greater connection, purpose, and peace.

I’d love to hear from you. What are you grateful for right now, and what do you hope the months ahead will bring?

May 5787 be a year in which we return not only to ourselves, but also to one another.

For those observing Yom Kippur, G’mar Chatimah Tovah, meaning, “May you be sealed for a good year.” And to everyone reading, may the months ahead bring you closer to what matters most.

Until next time,

Xoxo TheZenFashionista