DAY OF ATONEMENT

An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth holds a chicken during the Kaparot ritual in Bnei Brak, Israel, on Monday. Observant Jews believe the ritual transfers one’s sins from the past year into the chicken, and is performed before the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish year, which started at sundown Tuesday. Oded Balilty, The Associated Press