High Holy Days

UK police thwart suspected terror plot targeting Manchester Jewish community ahead of High Holy Day

Jewish security organization Community Security Trust called the news "utterly chilling, coming so close to the anniversary of the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue last year."

|ByREUTERS, MATHILDA HELLER
ARMED POLICE officers stand outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester following the attack there on Yom Kippur.
The Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City during the final Selichot prayers ahead of Yom Kippur. September 19, 2026.

After Yom Kippur, Israel must learn to say: 'We were wrong' - editorial

Yom Kippur asks Israelis to confess in the plural, but accountability after October 7 still requires individuals and leaders to explain where they went wrong.

|ByJPOST EDITORIAL
Thousands of Jews gather for selichot prayer services at the Western Wall, in Jerusalem, ahead of Yom Kippur, September 15, 2026

WATCH: Thousands gather at Western Wall for selichot prayers as 'Post' observes Yom Kippur

The Jerusalem Post will temporarily pause news coverage to observe Yom Kippur. We wish all our readers a gmar hatima tova and an easy and meaningful fast.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
On the eve of Yom Kippur (Prayer). Artist Jakub Weinles (1870–1935)

Far from the Holy of Holies: How did ancient Jews observe Yom Kippur 2,000 years ago?

New research into ancient Jewish life reveals how Yom Kippur was observed beyond the Temple, from fasting and private prayer to communal reflection.

|ByALAN ROSENBAUM

Jews must prepare for High Holidays bomb threats, security experts warn

Ahead of the High Holidays, when sanctuaries see their highest attendance of the year, synagogues need to review security procedures in order to avoid panic

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023ByRON KAMPEAS/JTA, JACOB GURVIS/JTA
‘IN OSLO, Norway, it was only walking past that allowed me to see the Oslo Synagogue at all. And, merely walking by, I was approached by a security guard who wanted to know what I was doing there,’ says the writer.

Armed guards posted at all Jerusalem synagogues amid rising terror

Every synagogue in Jerusalem will have armed security guards for the upcoming High Holy Days due to an uptick in terror attacks.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
POLICE PATROL outside al-Aqsa Mosque amid clashes in the area this week.

Israelis flock to Ukraine's Uman despite concerns of Russian strikes

Ahead of Rosh Hashanah Israelis take trains from Poland to reach Uman in Ukraine.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023ByLAURA KELLY
People line up to reach Ukraine on a train, some of them Israelis and Jews from around the world seeking to get to Uman ahead of Rosh Hashanah.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir clash on Palestinian prisoners' rights

Netanyahu stressed that any decision on prisoners would be made "exclusively" by the prime minister and the cabinet.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023ByANNA BARSKY, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir during a discussion and a vote in the assembly hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem. March 6, 2023.

Happy New Year: Time to drink

A list of alcoholic beverages for Rosh Hashanah and for after Yom Kippur.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023ByJAY ROSEN
Spiced Pumpkin Old Fashioned

Holding out for a hero: The story of prophets and God's plan - opinion

They are the paradigms of what our leaders can and should be, and they define their mission to inspire us to greatness and raise each of us to a level one step higher to the Almighty.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023BySTEWART WEISS
JONAH HAD to descend to the deepest part of the ocean to reclaim his faith.

50,000 Jewish worshipers gather for Slihot prayers at Western Wall

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation called on worshippers to come early in order to spread out the crowds for safety and welfare purposes.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Central Slihot services at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on September 7, 2023

Rising prices and financial struggles impact High Holy Days season

IFCJ launches aid operation to support needy families amid the High Holy Days.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023ByZACHY HENNESSEY
An illustrative image of a financial graph and shopping bag, symbolizing rising prices and wages.

Bowl Hashanah: A musical Rosh Hashanah experience in New York

Bowl Hashanah: Think of it as a musical Rosh Hashanah gathering with musical friends you would even pay to see on a night out.

AUGUST 30, 2023ByHOWARD BLAS
YULA BEERI will be performing at this year’s Bowl Hashanah.

Western Wall stones undergo inspection before Rosh Hashanah

This check is conducted annually around Rosh Hashanah and Passover, to make sure that Western Wall prayer does not pose a safety risk to anyone.

AUGUST 29, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Engineers conduct their bi-annual inspection of the Western Wall in preparation for the High Holy Days on August 29, 2023.