Today was Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement—the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Jews around the world marked the day by fasting from sundown last night to sundown tonight, and attending prayer services in synagogues.

Today, a Syrian jidahist attacked a synagogue in Manchester, England, killing at least 2 people and injuring 4 others. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed shock and surprise about an attack killing Jews simply because they are Jews.

But for the Jewish people, these acts—which always shocking—are no surprise.

Yom Kippur has taken on a tragic significance since October 6, 1973, when Israel suffered a surprise attack from its Arab neighbors. Fifty years later, Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, in the massacre that resulted in the Gaza war that is still underway nearly two years later.

Starmer offered the usual “thoughts and prayers” for the victims, as other politicians have for victims of violence in the US and other countries. But today’s victims—like those in the Mormon church in Michigan last week and the recent attack on a Catholic church in Minnesota—were already praying when they were attacked.

Prayer is an important aspect of Judaism, but by itself, it is not sufficient for atonement. On Yom Kippur, in addition to prayer, we talk about the need for repentance for prior behavior and a commitment to do good deeds in the future. To be effective, we believe prayer must be coupled with action.

Today was another reminder that only when we take appropriate positive action will we be able to repair the world.

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