G’mar Hatima Tova from Haifa

Dear Friends,

In a few hours we begin the most sacred day for the Jewish people, Yom Kippur.  It’s a day of holiness, repentance, purification and forgiveness.  As the G-d of Israel forgives the Jewish people for our errors, we follow in kind and forgive each other.

After our introspection and repentance, we will feel clean to start the new year with a free mind and an open heart.

Most of all, Yom Kippur is the day that all Jews come together to pray as a holy nation.  While you in America turn your hearts to pray toward Jerusalem and the Land of Israel, I want you to know that many of us in Israel think of our brothers and sisters in the biggest diaspora in the world.  Only when the Jews in the diaspora and in Israel are united in prayer, do we become a holy nation.

You are in our thoughts and prayers this Yom Kippur.

Wishing you an easy fast and a meaningful day of prayer,

Rabbi Edgar Nof