The Jewish High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most important of all Jewish holidays. They are the only Jewish holidays that are purely religious and not related to an historical or natural event. The High Holy Days are observed this year beginning at sundown on October 1 through sundown on October 11.

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is a time of family gatherings and special meals. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a day of fasting, reflection, and prayers and is the most solemn day of the Jewish year.

Virtual Jerusalem is advertised as being the largest site for Jewish and Israel-related materials on the Net. Learn of the Ten Days of Penitence or how Yom Kippur relates to the freeing of slaves. The site explains how to prepare for the Day of Atonement, restrictions and dress during that day, and sample prayers. The site also offers a wide selection of Hebrew and Jewish software.

Travel the city of Jerusalem through pictures and history by visiting The Jewish Mosaic. For example, you can take a virtual tour of the city itself, complete with information and pictures on the Gates of Jerusalem, Holy Sites, and Chagall Windows.

For a guide to over 5000 Jewish and Israel links on the Net, visit Maven. You'll find information on government and politics, businesses, communities and synagogues, Judaism, and more.

Al Filreis, an English professor at Pennsylvania State University, developed Literature of the Holocaust as a companion website for one of his courses. The site offers an impressive volume of information on the Holocaust.

For up-to-date news on Israel, visit the Israel Internet News Service:

The Western Wall is the only remnant of the Temple that was destroyed by Titus in 68 C.E. The Wall is a symbol of the Jewish people, and wherever a Jew is in the world, he turns toward Jerusalem to the Western Wall to pray. See a live view of the Wall at Aish HaTorah, Window on the Western Wall.

Robin Nobles is a freelance writer who can be reached at robinnobles@robinsnest.com.

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