ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 64

search

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.

read more:
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.