_{When Our Greater Jewish World Needs Unity Most}

Perhaps more than ever before, our Jewish people feel a natural urge to be together and help to remedy the countless internal rifts that continue to plague our nation. True Jewish unity feels more important – yet all-too-often- more elusive in the face of a year of challenge, pain and unspeakable loss.

UNITY THROUGH TEFILLA

A Specially Drafted Tefilla

In response, Tzohar is partnering with organizations from all over the world to join a historic and deeply meaningful initiative with the release of a specially drafted tefilla for unity. This initiative will allow you and your communities to feel a part of the ‘Jewish collective’ of the thousands of Jews across the globe. It will be recited in over 400 Tzohar minyanim all over Israel, that unite religious and secular Jews, in an open, welcoming Tzohar manner. We encourage you to register your community to receive a print version of the prayer or download it to print at home.

UNITY THROUGH SHUL PARTNERSHIPS

Partnering diaspora communities with Israeli communities

419 is the gematriya for achdut-unity as well as the 419 Yom Kippur programs Tzohar is coordinating across Israel. Tzohar invites you to register your Diaspora community to be “paired” with Israeli communities, allowing us to truly feel that sense of being one people with one heart on this holiest of days.

ברוב עם

Join us and encourage others to unite with us as we cry out to the heavens to bless us with greater unity in response to the many challenges facing our local, national and global communities.

Register here to receive the Tefilla in your shul or inbox:

Support The Yom Kippur Unity Project.

For check and bank transfer options: https://tzohar-eng.org/donate/

Thoughts on Jewish Unity from Our Partners

From the very first words recited on Yom Kippur within Kol Nidrei we say על דעת המקום ועל דעת הקהל, the message is clear that this is a day where we are beseeching the Heavens as individuals - but with the very clear understanding that we need to be accepting of others – both those within our close community and within the wider Jewish world.

Everything about Yom Kippur teaches us the absolute indivisible unity of the Jewish people. On the holiest day of the year, on the holiest spot on earth, the holiest man among the people – the High Priest – would do what? He would atone for himself, and then for his family, and then for the entire congregation of Israel. There were absolutely no divisions. The most righteous still needed to be forgiven. And the least righteous still were able to be forgiven. On Yom Kippur there is complete equality between Jews and complete unity between Jews.

The concept of Torah MiTzion and its shlichim embodies the spirit of unity and communal responsibility. The shlichim (emissaries) serve as a bridge between Israel and the Diaspora, ensuring that Jewish values and missions are upheld. The inspiration that the communities and shlichim gain from one another highlight the importance of bridging oceans and cultures to thrive in our Jewish homes. This year, as we face renewed adversity, unity becomes even more vital. Yom Kippur thus becomes not just a day of personal atonement but a celebration of communal solidarity—to gather, to reflect, to seek forgiveness, and renew our commitment to God, one another, and shared values. This collective introspection underscores the importance of national cohesion in confronting challenges and pursuing common goals.

In light of last year’s divisions on Yom Kippur and the tragic events of October 7th, this Yom Kippur carries an even deeper call for Jewish unity. Traditionally a time for personal reflection, it has now become a moment for collective healing and solidarity. As we mourn the loss of so many fellow Jews, Yom Kippur urges us to reaffirm shared values—compassion, resilience, and mutual responsibility. The Gesher organization, dedicated to bridging divides within the Jewish community, plays a vital role in fostering this unity. As we recite the words from the Yom Kippur liturgy, “We are Your people, and You are our God; we are Your children, and You are our Father,” we are reminded of the unbreakable familial bond that connects Jews worldwide. In this time of crisis, Yom Kippur reminds us that Jewish unity is not just important, but essential for healing and moving forward with strength and hope.

When Our Greater Jewish World Needs Unity Most