UN chief, world envoys join Rosh Hashanah rite, throw ‘sins’ into East River

‘Tashlich’ event held to mark the Jewish New Year, led by Israeli ambassador Danny Danon, who says he hopes UN will do some soul-searching

UN Chief Antonio Guterres (l) and Israeli ambassador Danny Danon take part in a Tashlich ritual in New York on Friday September 7, 2018 (Courtesy/Nir Arieli)
UN Chief Antonio Guterres (l) and Israeli ambassador Danny Danon take part in a Tashlich ritual in New York on Friday September 7, 2018 (Courtesy/Nir Arieli)

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon led the world body’s chief and envoys from around the world as they cast their “sins” into New York’s East River to mark Rosh Hashanah.

“As the Jewish New Year begins, the UN is also beginning a new year. We hope the UN will participate in ‘cheshbon hanefesh’ [soul-searching], an accounting of its actions of the previous year,” Danon said at the ‘tashlich’ ceremony held Friday.

The service, dating back to medieval Germany, is traditionally held next to a flowing body of water on or shortly after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and ahead of the Jewish Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur, and involves the symbolic casting off of sins, which usually take the form of bread, to be eaten by fish.

Jerusalem has been a frequent critic of the UN, which it says unfairly targets and obsesses over Israeli actions while ignoring other ills around the world.

“I would like to take this opportunity to offer my blessings to the Jewish people,” said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The ceremony has been held annually at the UN since 2015. Rosh Hashanah starts Sunday evening.

A statement from Danon’s office said “dozens of ambassadors and dignitaries from around the world” took part, but gave no further details.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.