Yom Kippur 2025 in the United Kingdom

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish year. People spend the day fasting, praying, and asking for forgiveness to reflect on their actions. It marks the end of the ten days of repentance that start with Rosh Hashanah.

Yom Kippur: A Public Holiday?

Yom Kippur is not a public holiday in the UK. Businesses, offices, and schools follow regular opening hours. However, Jewish communities observe the day with fasting and prayer, often taking time off from work or school to attend synagogue services.

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It has been observed for thousands of years, with origins in the Torah, where it was established as a day for repentance and purification. Traditionally, it marks a time when individuals seek forgiveness from God and others, reflecting on their actions over the past year. Yom Kippur concludes the Ten Days of Repentance, which begins with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Observance on Yom Kippur in the UK

In the UK, Yom Kippur holds special meaning for the Jewish community, though it is not a public holiday. Jewish people often request time off work or school to fully participate in the observance. While the day is widely known for Jewish families and individuals, it is a significant time of reflection, prayer, and spiritual renewal.

The day is observed with fasting, beginning at sunset on the evening before and lasting for 25 hours until nightfall the next day. During this time, people refrain from eating or drinking, and many also avoid other pleasures such as wearing leather or using electronics. Yom Kippur focuses on prayer and seeking forgiveness, with many attending extended synagogue services that include special readings and rituals. The service includes the sounding of the shofar, a ram's horn, which signals the end of the fast.

For Jewish people in the UK, Yom Kippur is an important opportunity to reconnect with their faith and community. Families often gather after the fast for a meal, breaking the fast with simple foods such as bread and soup. The day encourages personal reflection and renewal, reminding individuals to improve their relationships with others and live with greater compassion and kindness in the coming year.

Who Observes Yom Kippur in the UK?

With an estimated 270,000 Jewish people living in the United Kingdom, Judaism has a well-established presence in the country. The largest Jewish communities are based in London, particularly in areas like Barnet, Hackney, and Golders Green. Other significant Jewish populations are in Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, and Birmingham. Across these regions, Yom Kippur is observed with fasting, prayer, and synagogue services, as families and communities come together for reflection and spiritual renewal.

Yom Kippur Observances