By Arkady Borochovich
Hundreds of Russian – American families joined Chabad Lubavitch of Manhattan Beach for Yom Kippur services. The services inaugurated with the solemn Kol Nidrei prayer, on Yom Kippur eve and continued throughout Yom Kippur day with the Yizkor Service (for those that sadly lost a parent and at that time rember their loved ones). The climax of Yom Kippur is the final and closing Neila prayer where the entire room was filled with Jews from all walks of life joining in for those last few moments.
The highlight of the evening was, the recital of Shma at the final moments and concluded with the sounding of the Shofar.
“The essence of a Jew is revealed on Yom Kippur, we must take that boost of spiritual glow and spirit to energize the rest of the year”, said Rabbi Avrohom Winner, Dierctor of Chabad of Manhattan Beach.
A great and organized children’s program was arranged by Ms. Rochel and Ms. Chana Gopin. Giving parent’s a chance to pray, listen in to the Rabbi Winner’s continuous and insightful narration, without the children.
“We want people to realize that Yom Kippur is for children as well, we have ‘children services’, and activities for the kids”, said Shula Winner, Program Director of Chabad.
I must say, all in all it was a very meaningful experience seeing so many of my friends there, especially the ones that I would never imagine would come to a Shul – Synagogue. But as the Rabbi said: yom kippur is when our Neshama shines.
For more info visit www.ChabadManhattanBeach.com
