… in recent years, the break-fast party has become part of the Jewish social calendar. From Los Angeles to Chicago to New York, many are attending large, crowded break-fasts, where the spirit of the High Holy Days can get lost in the mixing, and where the day\u2019s solemnity quickly abates, smothered by large quantities of cream cheese and hummus.<\/p>\n
Vanessa Ochs, who teaches religion at the University of Virginia, says the new, bigger break-fast raises theological questions. Even before the day of repentance is over, many people are forced to think about the meal they will be serving.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the last 25 years, the break-fast has, in some friendship groups, become such a moment for gratitude and coming together that people will stay home from services to cook and prepare,\u201d\u009d Dr. Ochs said. \u201cThat isn\u2019t what they\u2019re supposed to be doing, but from a non-halakhic\u201d\u009d \u201d\u201d extra-legal \u201d\u201d \u201cperspective, if this meal marks who is in your friendship circle, and who is going to be there for you, then this is a holy communal feast.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n