On Oct. 16, the McLean Jewish Student Association held their bi-monthly club meeting to discuss the topic of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur, considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar year, commemorates the repentance of a person’s sins for the previous year. The meeting was long-awaited after it had originally been pushed back because of PSATs. As students flooded into Mr. Newburger’s room, the JSA officers took to the front of the class.

“Yom Kippur means going into the new year completely refreshed. I think it’s really important that our community is here,” said junior Rahm Fishman, JSA vice president. “A lot of people don’t belong to synagogues, but it’s important to feel a sense of belonging when teaching others about our culture.

Despite the holiday taking place the week prior, the JSA members were eager to share their experiences from the day, with several of the club’s members taking part in the Yom Kippur fast. Following the Yom Kippur introduction, the officers assured students that the school is a safe space for all.

“It’s really important to stick together as a Jewish community, especially during this time with everything going on in the Middle East,” junior Rachel Zamsky said. “It’s really frustrating to witness, but we continue to persist every single day.”

As members filed out from the meeting, the mood was joyful, with each member knowing that they will support each other no matter what. The club will host their next meeting Oct. 23 to discuss the holiday of Sukkot.

“I’m super excited to continue to be a part of this club for the next three years,” sophomore Gabriel Agin said. “I really enjoy discussing my Jewish identity and culture with other members of the club. I can’t wait for the next meeting.”