Is Yom Kippur like confession?

Though Yom Kippur does have a confession service (viduiViduiוִדּוּי"Confession;" liturgical prayer recited throughout Yom Kippur; confessional said before death. ), it is not similar to other confessionals. The community confesses together to a list of sins and then sings in celebration of God accepting their repentance. No one is singled out, and while many choose to think at this time of personal resolutions to do better, there is no individual confession to a rabbi.

On a private level, in preparation for Yom Kippur many take the opportunity to speak to people in their lives with whom they feel a need to clear the air or ask forgiveness.