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John, Tonight, Jews worldwide will begin to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day in our calendar. As we gather in synagogues across the country to recite the powerful Kol Nidre prayer, we will feel the additional weight of the struggles confronting the Jewish people: The horrifying reality of 48 hostages who remain in the tunnels of Gaza. The immense suffering of Israeli victims of terror, families of the fallen, and Palestinian victims of Hamas’ war. The rise in vicious antisemitism in Canada and around the world. And foremost in our minds, we await forward movement on the U.S.-led proposal to end hostilities and bring our hostages home. Hamas started this war, and Hamas can end it today. This year, nearly two years after October 7th, one of the lessons of Kol Nidre feels especially poignant. While the prayer opens a day of personal introspection, it is also purposely recited “for the entire congregation.” Rather than solely focusing on ourselves, we begin Yom Kippur by praying together and for each other. As Jews, taking care of each other is at the core of who we are. For many, an important tradition leading up to Yom Kippur is giving tzedakah. If you would like to do so, I encourage you to consider making a charitable contribution to your local Jewish Federation. Throughout the year, your Federation builds a vibrant and compassionate Jewish community in your city. And together, our Federations ensure our national Jewish community can be strong, impactful, and united in advocating for a country in which our people can always live proudly and without fear. In these critical hours, we pray that the hostages and their families will soon be reunited. May you and our entire community be inscribed for good in the Book of Life! Gmar Chatima Tova, |
