Yom Kippur... Christian Style?

I occasionally post about my faith, as do others. So I realize that there aren't a lot of Jews out there in romanceland that read this blog, and that SB Sarah is about the only other one I can think of who blogs. Everyone examines their faith at some point, and lots of folks learn about the faith of others. I'm often asked questions about Judaism, since many of you don't know a lot about it, and many in my community don't either. I've shared stories about my kids, their bar mitzvahs, Jewish traditions, and I've never before encountered anything from you all but acceptance about my Judaism, and I've never offered anything but acceptance in return for your feelings about your own faith. 

To understand my upset, I should give a little background. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and the 10 days between are the 10 holiest days in the Jewish calendar. They are sometimes called the High Holidays, but the true term is the High Holy Days. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, the time when we celebrate a new year, a new beginning. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. Once a year (or really over the entire 10 day period) Jews all over the world reflect upon their lives, ask forgiveness for their transgressions from themselves, from others they have wronged, and from God. Additionally, they forgive those who have wronged them. The High Holy Days are filled with beautiful prayers and are incredibly meaningful. Even traditionally non-religious Jews tend to go to shul on these days. It has been this way for a really damn long time (we are in the year 5769).

I sometimes liken the High Holy Days to those Christians who don't normally go to church during the year, but feel compelled to go on Christmas and Easter, because those are the most important holidays of the year, correct? There is even a term for these folks - they are referred to as High Holy Day Jews. I don't fit into that category, since I go year-round, but there are those that do, and I don't judge them.

The Torah portion (Old Testament, I must say, as I'm sure you are all aware, but you'll see in a moment why I stress this) that is read during the High Holy Days is that of Abraham, who was to sacrifice his son, Isaac, to show his loyalty to God, but at the last moment, God stops him, and Abraham sacrifices a ram instead.  Lessons to be learned notwithstanding, you'll see in a moment why I tell this story.

OK, now that you have a little bit of background.... I came across this ad in my local newspaper, and I wonder if it's just me that is taken aback by it. Or if there is something to my irritation. To me, it is the equivalent to a temple advertising that Easter is all about the Jews because Jesus was Jewish, and the Last Supper was a Seder, after all.  So I ask you, am I overreacting? Maybe I am....  Here's the ad for a local church...

"Changed Forever by His Presence"

XXXX Church will present a special service celebrating the the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur  at 6 pm on Saturday, Oct 12. According to the event organizers, the service will present Yom Kippur as the most holy day of the year for the Jews when the High Priest of Israel would offer a sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people.

In the service, Pastor xxxx will represent the role of the High Priest and will offer evidence from the New Testament as Jesus Christ as he acted as the High Priest and became the atoning sacrifice.

Ummm, pardon me, but the High Priest of Israel? No matter your feelings on this, if they are referring to Jesus, then to use that term in the same sentence as "the most holy day of the year for Jews" is highly offensive to me. So, am I wrong to be offended by this? If this were a temple making Easter, what I consider to be the most holy day of the Christian calendar, out to be their holiday, would you be offended? I think I would, certainly.