191008-N-QE337-016 PORTSMOUTH, Va. (Oct. 8, 2019) Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) staff members participate in the Tashlich ceremony, throwing bread into the Elizabeth River. Tashlich means "casting off" in Hebrew and involves symbolically casting off the sins of the previous year by tossing pieces of bread or another food into a body of flowing water. NMCP hosted its first Jewish Pre-Yom Kippur (Yoom Keep-poor) service on Oct. 8. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, when Jews are closest to God and most connected to the essence of their souls. It’s the holiest day of the year, when Jews come together, fasting and praying as one. (U.S Navy photo by Electronics Technician 2nd Class Dakotah A. Hendricks/Released)