On Friday, September 15, Jews around the world united to pray for a world of peace and stability. This event was organized by Acheinu, the outreach arm of Dirshu, the world’s largest Torah organization.
It is estimated that over 10,000 people came to the Western Wall to pray as part of the Day of Jewish Unity. In addition, Jews around the world prayed in synagogues, schools, offices and homes as part of this momentous day. Twenty-three yeshivos in New Jersey participated, including Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, Hillel Yeshiva and RYNJ. The synagogues Zichron Yaakov, Beth Aaron and Beth Abraham participated, as did businesses such as IDT and Prime Insurance.
People were asked to recite two passages of Psalms, Chapters 20 and 130. By everyone reading the same Psalms on the same day, Jews formed a bond of unity from one edge of the world to the other.
Friday was chosen as this day of unity because of the yahrzeit of the Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, a Talmudic and rabbinic scholar and teacher of ethics. Acheinu wanted Friday to be a day when we should all refrain from gossip and treat our fellow citizens with respect, in honor of the Chofetz Chaim.
Also, due to the upcoming High Holidays, this is a time of year when Jews reflect on how they can change themselves for the better, so Acheinu felt it a fitting time for Jews around the world to unite and commit to making this world a better place.
By Ronda Cantor
