Yom Kippur and the Financial Crisis

Posted by: Mauro Vaisman on October 07

How does a Brazilian American Russian Jew married to a non-religious American observe Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur is the most important Jewish holiday. I learned early in Jewish school that Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement and Repentance. Most Jews observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.

I was not happy when I read in the New York Times last week, that during Rosh Hashanah, while the financial markets were tanking, worshipers were outside the synagogue checking their blackberries and calling the office. Some carried the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times to the temple; inside, the Rabbi prayed.

This Thursday, I decided to take a different approach compared to what I have done in the past. I am taking a day off. A real day off. It will be the only day in the year that I am truly off. As far as I can remember, I always work on my vacations and on every holiday. But for the first time in decades, I am taking one day off. No computers, no blackberry, no TV and no iPod.

I will take my kids to the riverbank and we will connect. Together, we will discuss our past, our present and our future. I want to pray together in a place where the floor is made of dirt and the ceiling is a blue sky. On the horizon, the river. We will hold hands and make our connection stronger.

The world is facing a very challenging time. But I am a strong believer that what got us into this mess, can also get us out of it: People.

After my day away from work, I plan to come back with more energy and work harder than ever. In a way, I will do my part to help us get out of this situation.

This is how I will spend my Yom Kippur.

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