The Forgotten Yom Kippur Rituals of Ashkenazi Jewish Women

Sunday, September 22 at 1 :00 PM ET

"They were like the witches from Macbeth, but a Yiddish, folksy version" – the forgotten Yom Kippur rituals of Ashkenazi Jewish women.

In the month of Elul, and particularly in the week running up to Rosh Hashone Jewish women in Eastern Europe used to measure the cemetery with thread in a ritual known in Yiddish as feldmestn. In between Rosh Hashone and Yom Kippur, the thread from these measurements would be used to make candle wick for huge candles known as neshome likht  – soul candles. Lit on the eve of Yom Kippur, these candles were believed to create a special connection with the dead, who could advocate with God on behalf of the living, to help them receive a good divine judgement on the Day of Atonement.

In this online talk, Annabel Gottfried Cohen, a Yiddish teacher with the Workers Circle, historian and researcher of these women's practices will talk about the history of these very popular rituals, as well as the efforts being made to revive them today.

You are welcome to join an additional session at 3:00 PM ET hosted by Knobl and Honik Kolektiv and Community Chevra and sponsored by the Workers Circle to delve deeper into Tkhines, songs, and any questions you might have. Sign up here.

This event is co-sponsored by the Knobl un Honik Kollectiv and Community Chevra.