Yom Kippur celebration

Tushita held an inter-faith event by marking Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jewish people, on the final day of September 27th – October 4th Introduction to Buddhism course, led by Venerable Namgyel (pictured above right). The central themes of Yom Kippur are atonement and repentance. Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, with traditions respected regarding food eaten before and after the fast.

We were happy to grant the request of 17 Israeli students to allow them to do observe Yom Kippur, and to prepare for and break the fast with special meals (pictured above left).

Menu: Cookies, Apple Juice, Hot coco, Hummus, Falafel, Pita, roasted potatoes, cheese, crackers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and soup!

This post-fast feast was made possible by the kindness of Venerable Namgyel, and Venerable Rita Riniker, who sponsored the meal. Ani Rita wrote:

Hello my dear Tushita Wallahs,

I would just like to express my gratitude for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Yom Kippur fasting at Tushita.

Ven Namgyel was asking me, what was going on with the Israelis who want food on Friday at 5pm, and are not eating and drinking on Saturday, so I explained, and was very touched to hear that 17 of them, want to do the full fast.

It is actually more people than we have here in Israel in the Yom Kippur retreat in Israel. Here, 13 out of 71 (and I am one of them, so actually only 12) will do the full fast. And I really do appreciate that Tushita is supporting them, because at the moment, they are usually just getting attacked for what is happening with the Palestinians.

A lot of Israelis are not happy with what is happening in Gaza, they do protest, take part in projects to help the Palestinians, do as much as they can, to alleviate their suffering at least a little bit.

The fasting on Yom Kippur is to purify ones negative actions, so the more negative karma that gets purified in this area, the better.

And when I heard that 17 people want to do the fast so far away from home, I was so touched, and asked Ven. Namgyel, if I could please participate to help sponsor the food for Friday night. And He said yes, and I don’t really know why, but I was so happy. Still am.

It feels a bit like sponsoring the food for people who do Nyüng Nä.

So I just wanted to thank Tushita, also for giving me the opportunity to be part of this, and also for supporting the Israelis and Jews in their fast, by giving them proper food on Friday. They will appreciate it very much, and I am sure they will never forget, how an institution of another religion, supported the Jewish fast. This will be something new for them, and maybe it will put the idea in their mind, that different religions can not only live peacefully together, but also support each other, and this is what has to happen in this area. So Tushita started with being a great example for this.

Big big hug and much love and thanks again

Ani Rita