One day a year, we stop and pay attention. To our lives. To each other. To the person we want to become. That’s Yom Kippur — and if we do it right, we leave a little more awake than when we arrived.
Yom Kippur 5787 begins Sunday evening, September 20. Everything you need is below. Registration is required for all services, and all services are free and open to all.
Sunday, Sep 20
Preparing for Yom Kippur: A Family and Community Experience | 10 am | Third Street Center, Carbondale
Yom Kippur is one of the most powerful days on the Jewish calendar. This new Sunday morning program is an invitation to slow down together before the holiday begins. Led by Rabbi Sima, the morning weaves together song, prayer, and reflective activity for families, children, and adults of all ages. No synagogue experience necessary, just a willingness to show up and explore what this sacred day has to offer.
Yom Kippur Family Service | 5 pm | Paepcke Auditorium
Join Rabbi Sima and our musicians for a joyful, participatory service led by our Hebrew School students. With songs, prayers, and spirit, this service is open to all, yet designed especially for elementary-aged children and their families.
Kol Nidre | 7:30 pm | Paepcke Auditorium
On this most solemn and surprisingly joyful day, we come together as individuals and as a community to sit with our questions, release what weighs on us, and begin again.
Monday, Sep 21
Yom Kippur Morning Service | 10 am | Paepcke Auditorium
Yizkor begins at 12:30 PM, with Kenny Joseph as this year’s Yizkor speaker. Special materials will be available for children who have suffered a loss.
Lay-Led Afternoon Activities | 1 – 3:30 pm | See below for topics and locations
Spend Yom Kippur afternoon hiking, singing, learning, or meditating. From the moment that Yizkor ends until the start of our text study, AJC members will lead sessions to inspire the heart and spirit, and to help the fast go…faster.
Text Study with Rabbi Shira | 3:30 pm | Paepcke Auditorium
A deep dive into one of the Bible’s most beloved stories. Join us to wrestle with Jonah: the prophet who ran, the fish who was waiting, and the question the book leaves unanswered. All levels welcome.
Neila | 5 pm | Paepcke Auditorium
The gates are closing. This is the moment the whole season has been building toward — one last hour to pay attention with everything we have. Join our rabbis and musicians for the most electric service of the year.
Community Break-Fast | 6 pm | Doerr-Hosier Center
Conclude the day with a catered community meal.
Monday, Sep 21
The Gates of Grief as a Doorway into the Days of Awe: An Experiential Journey
1:15–2:15 pm | Paepcke Library
Led by Ron Beller, an executive coach working to legalize psychedelics.
Yin Yoga in Nature
1:15–2:15 pm | Outside the Paepcke Building (rain location: outside Paepcke Auditorium)
A slow somatic practice to connect with breath, body, and spirit. Led by relationship therapist and yoga teacher Dr. Jenni Skyler.
Expulsion and its Consequences: An American Warning
1:15–2:15 pm | Paepcke Auditorium
A conversation on antisemitism with Ephi Gildor — venture capitalist, philanthropist and adventurer — drawn from his forthcoming book with Andrew Roberts.
Historic Aspen West End Walking Tour
2:15–3:30 pm | meets in Aspen (canceled if it rains)
Join AJC and a docent from the Aspen Historical Society. Maximum 20 people. Advance registration required — email office@aspenjewish.org.
We Write the Book by Living
2:30–3:30 pm | Paepcke Auditorium
What if The Book of Life isn’t a heavenly icon of fate and judgement, but is the story we write together through our actions? In this seminar led by Ben Green, we’ll reimagine our role in the stories we’re part of, and what it looks like when we write ourselves and each other into The Book of Life.
What Does Good Care Look Like?
2:30–3:30 pm | Paepcke Library
We cannot completely control the state of our health in the coming year, but we can have important conversations about what good care looks like. Join palliative care physician Shane Lieberman, MD, for a discussion on the values that shape how we want to give and receive care in the face of illness.
NEW THIS YEAR – SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM CARBONDALE TO ASPEN
Pickup and drop-off from the parking lot across from Town Hall in Carbondale. Use the shuttle however works best for you, mix and match trips as needed. Full schedule below.
PARKING AT PAEPCKE AUDITORIUM
If you’re driving, parking at Paepcke is limited. The Music Tent lot is also available, and you can drop guests off directly at Paepcke. If you are able, we encourage you to walk, bike, or carpool.
Yom Kippur
Kol Nidre | Sun, Sep 20
Carbondale → Paepcke Auditorium, Aspen: 6 pm departure
Return after services: ~9 pm departure
Yom Kippur Day | Mon, Sep 21
Carbondale → Paepcke: 8:30 am departure
Return after morning services & Yizkor: ~1:15 pm departure
Carbondale → Paepcke: 3:30 pm departure
Return after Neilah & break fast: ~7:30 pm departure
WHAT DO I WEAR?
Wear white and skip leather. Many Jews follow this tradition because white reflects a clean slate, while avoiding leather reflects the day’s call for humility rather than luxury.
I’M NEW TO AJC. HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONGREGATION?
We’re so happy you’re here. Our website is full of information, including our event calendar. For questions, email us at office@aspenjewish.org or give us a call at 970.925.8245.
WHAT DID I REGISTER FOR?
Search your inbox for the confirmation email, “See you at High Holidays!” — it lists everything you signed up for.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The holidays don’t end here. Sukkot and Simchat Torah follow: Shabbat in the Sukkah on Friday, September 25, the Down Valley Sukkot Party on Sunday, September 27, and our Shabbat & Simchat Torah Party on Friday, October 2.
