Hi John,
Tonight will mark the close of the holiest day of the year for myself and other Jews around the world. Yom Kippur is a solemn and deeply introspective holiday. It centers around repentance, atonement, and reflection - allowing a space to look back on mistakes, overall behavior, and the treatment of others.
This holiday comes at a difficult time for our community. Watching Iranians in every province, especially Iranian women, fight for the basic human rights of bodily autonomy, life, and freedom has inspired feelings of hope, trepidation, and uncertainty.
This holy day, the political moment we find ourselves in, and the events of past weeks have forced me to reflect on what role I can play. I’m sure others in the diaspora are wrestling with similar reflections, regardless of religion.
As an Iranian-American Jew, I’m unavoidably aware of the enduring legacy of anti-semitism and the complex human rights situation in Israel. Yet, I’m compelled to focus my attention on others facing intense discimination in Iran at this time - Bahais, Kurds, and Iranian women, especially, among them. My prayers and thoughts are with them at this time.
I’m grateful to each of you for your support and grateful to be working at an organization with a demonstrated commitment to peace, human rights, and grassroots organizing. I ask that you please keep paying attention, keep sharing, uplifting, taking action, and being considerate of others during this time.
To all observing, Gmar hatimah tovah.
Thank you for reading,
Etan Mabourakh
Digital Associate, NIAC