Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez sent a letter Sept. 9 to the Jewish community on the approach of the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
This year, Rosh Hashanah begins on Friday, Sept. 11 at sunset and ends Sunday, Sept. 13 at nightfall. Yom Kippur begins at sunset on Sunday, Sept. 20, and ends at nightfall on Monday, Sept. 21.
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Dear Friends in the Jewish Faith Community,
I offer warmest greetings and prayerful best wishes as you prepare to celebrate the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this month.
These “days of awe” begin with beloved ancient traditions celebrating the New Year of 5787, followed by ten days of repentance marked by solemn prayer. As you reflect on the past with its joys and its strife, you also look to the future with joyful hope in the promises of the Almighty. May your joy and hope inspire all people of goodwill in our community to respond with compassion to human suffering here and around the world due to war, natural disasters, economic uncertainty, and political tension.
In a special way, may we join in prayers for a just and lasting peace in our neighborhoods, in our country, and in the Holy Land, which is dear to both of our faith traditions and rooted in the Lord’s covenant with Abraham, our father in faith.
On behalf of the Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I pledge spiritual closeness and a remembrance in my prayers for you at this time.
May the Almighty bless you abundantly with peace, good health, and fulfillment.
Shanah Tovah!
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
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