(Image: gtrwndr87/Flickr)

Yom Kippur, the holiest of the Jewish holidays.  It is a day where the central theme is centered on repentance and atonement. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.

A common way to end the fasting of the important holiday is to gather with family and friends and “break the fast” with a celebratory meal.  The spread usually tends to be light, due to having an empty stomach, such as orange juice, quiches, and other gentle foods.  At the center of the meals, you will always find the traditional bagel spread.

Bagels and cream cheese though is simple and easy to make ahead, why not try to jazz it up a notch with some of these helpful tips and ideas.

• Try to make sure to have an assortment of freshly baked bagels like, sesame, everything, poppy seed, onion, garlic, cinnamon and raisin.  These will make your guests feel so welcomed knowing that there is a range of choices to make.

For more, 

• Try spicing up  cream cheese.  Though regular cream cheese is great and all try chopping up some fresh herbs like chives, tarragon and basil.  Fold the chopped herbs in the cream cheese, goat cheese, or any other soft cheese and smell.  Now that is a great topping for your bagel.

• Always have on hand other spreads.  Try having hummus, egg salads, tapenade, and how can we forget the famous smoked fish platter of lox.