An American perspective: Why Yom Kippur still brings Jews together, even without belief – opinion

Yom Kippur, often called "Hayom" (the Day), holds a unique significance for Jews, transcending mere belief, according to the author. The article highlights how many secular Jews, like the fictional "Ed Shapiro," observe Yom Kippur by attending synagogue and fasting, even if they don't believe in God or understand the ancient prayers. This observance is presented not as an act of faith, but as a deep-seated sense of belonging to the Jewish people. The author recounts a personal anecdote where his father told him, "Pete, imagine they wouldn't let you go inside," to emphasize this connection. The piece concludes by asserting that Yom Kippur unites Jews as a "treasured nation," allowing them to start the new year with a renewed sense of peoplehood and hope for a good year.