On Yom Kippur

by Emi Boren

On the 27th of September, the Jewish community celebrated Yom Kippur, the day of forgiveness. This holiday is considered to be the most important and sacred one of the year. On this day, people fast for 24 hours, representing spiritual atonement for your sins. We make use of this day by apologizing for everything we’ve done wrong, and for everything we didn’t do. 

As I watched the virtual ceremony, the Rabbi said something that deeply resonated with me. He listed famous people who reached great heights: Stephen Hawking, Frida Kahlo, Usain Bolt, and others. But why did he mention them? What do these people have to do with Yom Kippur? They all have something in common: they built from the broken. Stephen Hawking had a motor neuron disease. Despite this, he discovered the big bang theory, and was one of the best scientists of all time. Frida Kahlo suffered from Polio and was in a bad car accident. She went through multiple surgeries, and yet, she was one of the best Latin American artists. Lastly, Usain Bolt had scoliosis, and today, he is a track and field legend. Although they all faced big obstacles, they managed to put themselves together and become widely known for their achievements. 

I took these beautiful words as an example for the living, for the friendships I have, and as a reminder to re-enforce any bond I'd lost. I invite you to do the same. We must learn how to rebuild relationships, how to apologize, and how to forgive. Whether or not you are Jewish, I believe this can help us as a as a society, or even as a world. Believe in change, and make an effort to accomplish it. There is nothing to lose.