President Obama Says Yom Kippur a Time for Honesty and Reflection
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
President Barack Obama said Yom Kippur was a time of hope and also of being honest with oneself.
“The Day of Atonement is a time for humility, reflection and repentance, a chance to be honest with ourselves and one another about our shortcomings,” he said in a message sent out about two hours before East Coast candle-lighting. “Yet Yom Kippur is also a day of hope. Through our prayers and through our actions, as individuals and as a community, we can better bridge the realities of our world with the ideals and values we share.”
Obama concluded with the Hebrew phrase wishing others to be signed in the book of life for the coming year — “G’mar Chatimah Tovah.”
A number of candidates for the Republican nod in the presidential election sent out greetings through Twitter, among them Donald Trump, the real estate magnate and front-runner, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
