Yom Kippur, Leonard Cohen, and U’Netaneh Tokef

At some point, we all meet our maker. It is just a matter of when and how.

Yom Kippur starts Sunday night. One of the most important prayers during the service is U’Netaneh Tokef.

Leonard Cohen‘s 1974 song, Who By Fire is an adaptation of the prayer. It is a reminder of how precious life is and how quickly it can end.

To those who are fasting, have an easy fast.

P.S. A genius at UPenn decided to allow the Palestinian Writer’s Conference to schedule an event next Monday, during Yom Kippur. One of the speakers is Roger Waters. The room(s) where the event is going to be held is in the same building where Hillel is holding Yom Kippur services.

Coincidence? I think not. It goes without saying that freedom of speech is important, especially when it comes to oppressed minorities. But this is nothing more than an antisemitic hate fest that is conveniently going to be held during Judaism’s holiest day. Good job, UPenn.

Last week, we all raised concerns over a conference at @Penn that's set to include some of the world’s most famous antisemites. This morning, we found out that an antisemitic attack happened at @PennHillel. Wherever anti-Zionism goes, antisemitism follows. pic.twitter.com/4Hgeut2whs

— (((noa tishby))) (@noatishby) September 21, 2023

@Penn President Magill – I ask you, how do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be remembered for standing against antisemitism? Or turning a blind eye to Jew hatred? pic.twitter.com/lkB84dMMO5

— Lizzy Savetsky (@LizzySavetsky) September 21, 2023