Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem prepare for Yom Kippur Jews around the world are getting ready to celebrate Yom Kippur, their holiest day of the year. In preparation for the "Day of Atonement" which is set to take place on the 13th of the month, Orthodox Jews in the neighbourhood of Me'a Shearim in Israel took part on Wednesday in the Kapparot ritual, which consists of swinging a live chicken over one's head several times, symbolically transferring one's sins to the chicken. The chicken is then slaughtered and donated to the poor. Animal rights activists say the practice is cruel for the birds. Images and soundbites.