Chabad welcomes all Jews to Yom Kippur

The Rabbis of Chabad of the Conejo are inviting all Jews to attend Yom Kippur services that will begin with the Kol Nidre service at 6:15 p.m. Sun., Oct. 5. Services will continue at 9:30 a.m. Mon., Oct. 6 with the Yizkor memorial service at noon and the Neilah services at 5 p.m. The Yom Kippur fast will end at 7:15 p.m.

Services will be at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. Additional services will be at Chabad of Westlake Village, 2524 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village, at the Los Robles Greens Golf Course, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks and at Chaparral Elementary School, 22601 Liberty Bell Road, Calabasas. All prayer books are Hebrew-English.

The Rabbis are appealing to all Jews, observant or non-observant, affiliated or non-affiliated, to spend the holy day of Yom Kippur by attending services. Membership is not required. "Chabad’s doors will be open to every Jew, for on this holy day all Jews must be united and undivided," said Rabbi Moshe Bryski, "we need the prayers of every Jew, no one excluded. The more fully we demonstrate our essential unity by acting with love and friendship amongst ourselves, the more fully God’s love will be revealed to us." The Yizkor memorial service will be recited as well for those who lost their lives in the recent terrorist attacks in Israel.

The fast culminates with the Shema Yisroel and other verses said in unison and the final blowing of the Shofar. It is Chabad’s tradition to close off the Neilah (the closing prayers of the High Holidays) with "tremendous singing and emotion in the Chassidic spirit." Many congregants of other temples join Chabad for "the unique festive conclusion" to the Day of Atonement, according to Rabbi Bryski. Refreshments will be served following the fast. For more information, please call Chabad at (818) 991-0991.