Fast of the Firstborn tends to precipitate contrition in the one who fasts (see Joel, 2:12–18). This is why the Bible requires fasting (lit. self-affliction) on Yom Kippur (Jewish holiday of atonement) (see Leviticus, 23:27,29,32; Numbers, 29:7; Tractate "Yoma", 8:1; ibid. Babylonian Talmud, 81a). Because, according to the Hebrew Bible, hardship and calamitous circumstances can occur as a result of wrongdoing (see, for example, Leviticus 26:14–41), fasting is often undertaken by the community or by individuals to achieve atonement and avert catastrophe (see, for example, Esther 4:3,16; Jonah 3:7). Most of the Talmud's Tractate "Ta'anit" ("Fast[s]") is dedicated to the protocol involved in declaring
Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle classrooms. In 2012, the King County Green Schools Program recognized JDS' efforts in energy conservation and recycling. In 2011, the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education presented JDS with a Challenge Award for its Discovery Grant program which has strengthened enrollment by providing grants over a two-year period to new families enrolling at JDS. Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle The Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle (JDS) is the oldest community Jewish day school in the Pacific Northwest. Adopted in 2012, JDS's mission is "to provide an exceptional education that empowers Jewish children to be confident, wise, and compassionate