By Diana Bogorad
On September 21, 2026, Granada Hills Charter (GHC) will be closed due to an “unassigned day”. However, this day off coincides with the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, the Day of Atonement, otherwise known as Yom Kippur, which represents a time of repentance and reflection of past sins for Jews all around the world.
The history of Yom Kippur can be traced back to thousands of years ago. The first Yom Kippur took place after the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. The Jews arrived at Mount Sinai and on that mountain, Moses caught them worshipping a golden calf and shattered the Commandments. Jewish texts recount that the high priest held a complex ritual in order to beg for God’s forgiveness for his people.
Today, Yom Kippur signifies the conclusion of the Jewish High Holy Days. This year, Yom Kippur begins from sundown on September 20 and ends at nightfall on September 21. To commemorate Yom Kippur, Jews fast from food and water for 25 hours, which can impact student learning as well as absence rates. According to the Union for Reform Judaism, the fast allows observers to set aside physical needs and focus on repentance, reflection and spiritual renewal. For example, more Orthodox Jews will have additional restrictions on bathing, using cosmetics, and even wearing leather shoes. However, children and adults whose health could be endangered may not fast.
Yom Kippur isn’t the only holiday celebrated around this time of year in the Jewish calendar. This year, Jewish New Year, or otherwise known as Rosh Hashanah, is celebrated on sundown on September 11 and ends after nightfall on September 13, meaning most of the holiday takes place during the weekend. So why is GHC closed around the time of Yom Kippur and not Rosh Hashanah?
The simple answer is that it all depends on the timing. Some years, when both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are in the middle of the week, GHC will have unassigned days around both holidays. However, if one holiday occurs during the weekend, the school only has an unassigned day around the holiday in the middle of the week.
Jewish writings state that God judges all of his creations during the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. According to Jewish tradition, God inscribes the good in his book of life and condemns the wicked to death on Rosh Hashanah. Those who fall between repent on their actions until Yom Kippur, and this includes praying, committing good deeds, reflecting on past mistakes, and making amends with others.
Although Yom Kippur is not celebrated by everyone on campus, it is important to acknowledge its significance in Jewish culture, as it can help people from different cultures understand one another.
“When we don’t appreciate it, we tend to disrespect it,” senior and Jewish Student Union Vice President Abigail Rozner said. “We understand the world has a certain view on our religion, however we are here to educate. I think it’s important for students to know that Yom Kippur is a day of remembrance, a time to become closer to your history and heritage, and most importantly a reminder to embrace yourself and your actions so you are ready for the new year.”
So when the three-day weekend rolls around, take a moment to honor the celebration of Yom Kippur, and the major role it plays in Judaism as a way to reflect, change, and atone for negative past actions.
