David Adler is a young man embarked on one of the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Two days ago, while the flotilla was approaching the Gazan waters — which Israel treats as its own territorial waters — David wrote an open letter about his Jewishness in this context and in the context of Yom Kippur, the “day of atonement” in the Jewish religion.
In his open letter, he writes about the essence of Yom Kippur, that is, a day dedicated to reflecting on one’s own mistakes and how the breaches that one has made could be repaired, so the fabric of one’s relationships — the fabric of the whole society — could become whole again.
Writing thus in the spirit of tikkun olam, David asks: How can we possibly take seriously our mandate to heal the world when the State of Israel is so determined to destroy it?
Remembering the “obligation” bestowed upon Jews by the Torah: “Justice, justice you shall pursue!” he says: I joined this flotilla just like any other delegate — to defend humanity, before it is too late. But on Yom Kippur, I am reminded that I am also here because my Jewish heritage demands it.
Then David acknowledges his family heritage in the person of his grandfather, who joined the Parisian resistance against the Nazis, and acknowledges that the same genocidal rage that targeted my ancestors is now taken up by its principal victims.
Yom Kippur is a day of fasting, but David cannot forget that the Palestinians of Gaza are forced to fast. Yom Kippur is a day of atonement, but David reminds his readers that atonement means action; it does not mean fasting in comfort while starving your neighbors.
David’s letter ends with a plea: So as the sun sets tonight, and the fasting begins, I hope that fellow Jews will join me in redefining their approach to atonement — together with silent prayer, and toward courageous action to put an end to this horrific genocide. G’mar chatima tova.
The world is fortunate that there are people like David. Young people of integrity, courage, and vision.
May the people who govern that state of Israel, and those who support them, be utterly ashamed. May their plans fail. May their honor be trashed forever. May their disgraceful travesty of Judaism be condemned by all.
May Judaism be saved, together with the starving people of Palestine, and remain a blessing to the world.
May all the victims, Palestinians and Jews, rest in peace, and may there be peace with justice for all. Amen.
Banner Image: Olive trees, ancient emblem of Palestine: bulldozed by tanks in Gaza (photo by RafahKid) and thriving in Israel (photo by Wes Bolton). On Flickr.
Queries for Contemplation
What is your role in tikkun olam (making things whole again) at this time in your life and in the life of the world?
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3 thoughts on “Yom Kippur 2025”
My comment in yesterday’s DM still applies to today’s DM query. Since our inner life (microcosm) affects our outer Life (macrocosm), I also continue to pray for Love~Truth~Peace ~Justice~Healing… to increase in the hearts and lives of All Our Sisters & Brothers in All physical/nonphysical spiritual dimensions, including Our Beautiful Sacred Mother Earth, in the Sacred Process/Flow of the ETERNAL PRESENT MOMENT…
I am called to do everything I can to hold onto love in the midst of horror and sadistic destructiveness and to act to bring healing and justice–by prayer, by contacting those in government to protest the draconian laws that would stifle our rights and to protest the cruel cuts to the programs that provide a safety net, and by small acts of lovingkindness. I often fail, but being part of a community helps, whether it is a church or social service organization or online groups like this.
💔❤️