Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, will begin at sunset. It is marked by seriousness, introspection, repentance and spiritual renewal. Jews fast on Yom Kippur as part of the observance. The Birmingham Jewish Federation will be closed today for Yom Kippur.

Randi Landy and her husband, Dr. Dave Landy, are Co-Chairing the 2012 Birmingham Jewish Federation Campaign. The following is a Yom Kippur message from Randi.

When asked recently, as the Co-Chair of the 2012 BJF Campaign, to write an article for Update during the holiday season, I was honored and overcome with nervousness upon learning my topic. Yom Kippur. The holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

Of all of the people on the amazing leadership team at The Birmingham Jewish Federation, I feel among the least qualified to address a topic so important and which deserves the utmost reverence. Anyone who follows my Facebook page knows that reverence is not always my strong suit. Yom Kippur is a somber day of reflection, prayer and fasting. How can someone as flawed as I address this topic? How should one even begin?

I started with a search for some new perspective, one that I could get my arms and mind around as a lay person. Scanning many topics concerning Yom Kippur, my mind kept circling around all of my own shortcomings -- the things for which I will be asking forgiveness this year. Many of these items are the same items as last year -- personal vows to be a better mom, wife, daughter, person.

My searching brought me to Kol Nidre, which literally means "all vows." Kol Nidre ushers in the holiday on the evening that Yom Kippur begins. In my brief interpretation, this service and the prayer of Kol Nidre asks that we be forgiven from the vows that we make to ourselves and to G-d because we are all flawed. I can relate to that.

On Yom Kippur, we acknowledge that we fall short and ask G-d to forgive us. Then we tackle the year ahead with the vow of doing better. Acknowledging that we are not perfect, before we even start upholding this vow, we apologize and ask forgiveness ahead of time for failing to do so.

This year, being a co-chair of our Birmingham Jewish Federation Campaign, I have found myself thinking about my Federation role as well. I have tried to perform my duties to the best of my ability, but know that there are times when I may have fallen short.

I hope not, but I know the possibility exists, and I know how important it is, as someone who has been accorded the privilege of co-chairing our BJF Campaign, to continue to improve, learn more, do more and become even more sensitive to others.

There are many videos of Kol Nidre available online. Click on the link below to listen. The melody of Kol Nidre is haunting and moving. The emotional beauty of it eases my mind and soul. Although I am not perfect, I will strive to do my best in the coming year. May we all succeed in tackling the year ahead, giving and doing what we can, to be the best we can possibly be...even if that isn't perfect.

Wishing all "G'mar Hatima Tova" from Dave and myself. May you be inscribed in the Book of Life.

Remembering our fellow Jews, including those who live in Israel and other parts of the world, is especially important during the High Holy Days. A story in Thursday's Update, on a young man in Argentina by the name of Kevin, who has benefited from Federation-funded programs, struck a chord.

One reader, remarking on the impact of reading the story as Yom Kippur approached, wrote, "I was crying before I even got to the end. Thank you for posting this. Kevin's gratitude and volunteerism reminded me that there are some truly wonderful people in this world."

"He could have just simply read the newspaper each week, but instead he chose the path of friendship. Remarkable!" this reader added. (The story had explained that a volunteer role for Kevin, reading the newspaper to an elderly blind man, had blossomed into a deep friendship.)