Yom Kippur a Jewish holiday of reflection

By Rosemary McClure

At sundown on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur begins.

Edan Spector, a CSUMB senior, says Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement.

"It is a day of fasting, prayer, and introspection," she says. "It's a time to take stock of your life and reflect on how you can be better.”

Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews, continues for about 25 hours until the following nightfall, says Spector, who is president of CSUMB's Jewish Student Union. 

"You do not eat or drink. It is also a day of rest, on which all work is forbidden."

The faithful are expected to spend the day in reflection and in asking God for forgiveness of their sins. Observance of the holiday concludes with a breakfast shared by friends and family.

“We have a very big breakfast," she said, laughing.

Spector, a dean's-list student, is working towards a bachelor’s degree in marine science. 

"I adore the ocean and work with the California Killer Whale Project and Monterey Bay Whale Watch,” she said. “I hope to spend my life doing conservation work with an emphasis on marine life."

With the Jewish Student Union, she also works to support students at CSUMB. 

"We hope they become closer to their Judaism and Jewishness in a way that is meaningful to them,” she said, “especially at a time when Jewish students are feeling increasingly isolated in their universities and previously safe spaces.”

The group holds events for Jewish holidays and has weekly meetings during Shabbat, the traditional observance of a day of rest.

"Our goal is for Jewish students to have a support system, a community, and more opportunities to connect with their culture. We also need to promote ourselves and educate our fellow non-Jews, and be proud of our rich and beautiful culture."

Spector said she spends a lot of time working with recruits, including tabling in the quad during campus events. 

"We're just a baby club -- a cultural club," she said, "but we brainstormed last spring to help enlarge our group. We have about 20 registered students and are working to increase that number. I've gotten a lot of traction recently to include more members."

Last spring, the club sponsored some interesting sessions: a class about Feminism and Judaism, another about Pride and Judaism, and one titled "Understanding Resistance during the Holocaust – How did Jews Fight Back against their Oppressors during the Holocaust?"

The group aims to enable Jews to maintain their connection to Judaism while pursuing higher education.