Yom Kippur, one of the most celebrated Jewish holidays of the year, began Sunday at sundown and will last until today at nightfall. The holiday serves as a time for fasting, intensive prayer and repentance.

“Yom Kippur is one of the most widely observed and celebrated holidays, regardless of denomination,” said Joel Marcovitch, director of Hillel at the University.

Yom Kippur follows 10 days after another important holiday – Rosh Hashanah, often referred to as the Jewish New Year. During this time, Jewish believers focus on repenting for their sins and amending relationships with others.

In addition, judgment for the sins of the past year are placed in the “Book of Life.” Any sins not absolved will be sealed on Yom Kippur.

Rabbi Ronald Gerson, who serves at the Congregation Children of Israel in Athens, said Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish community.

“Especially this year, there’s a lot of pressure with the economy and people suffering in Atlanta from the floods,” Gerson said in a telephone interview Thursday.

He said he hopes the holiday will provide comfort to those in need.

Fasting is an integral part of the holiday, with most fasters giving up food and water. Marcovitch said fasting forces people to focus beyond the routine of daily life.

“The main point is to focus on one’s relationship with God,” he said. “I’ll be praying for the community not only here in Athens – but in Georgia, throughout the U.S. and around the world. I pray that the world will be a better place this next year.”

Gerson said donating food to feed the hungry is the most important aspect of repentance, and the Congregation Children of Israel will be collecting non-perishable foods for the Athens food bank.

Marcovitch said UGA Hillel, a student life organization for Jewish students, invites any students or faculty to attend services offered today. He said the Jewish community Conservative service members will provide a “break the fast” dinner at Hillel today at 7:30 p.m. for those celebrating Yom Kippur. In a telephone interview Tuesday, Marcovitch said he is expecting between 50 and 75 students to RSVP for the dinner.

Likewise, Gerson said his synagogue will offer several services today including a children’s service at 11 a.m. and a “break the fast” dinner at 6:30 p.m.

“I plan to go to synagogue the whole day to fast and devote all of my time to praying and reflecting,” said Marni Bronstein, a sophomore early childhood education major from Atlanta. “I e-mailed my professors [about not attending class today], and they all were very understanding.”

Marcovitch said he hopes the majority of professors will make allowances or alternate arrangements for students, so they can participate in one of the holiest days of the Jewish faith.

In addition to asking for forgiveness, Bronstein said Yom Kippur is an opportunity for Jews to start a new year with the support of one another.

“It’s the one day when all Jews really come together,” she said in a telephone interview Tuesday. “Granted, they might belong to different denominations, they’re still attending synagogue for God.”