Students from Ulpanat AMIT Givat Shmuel met this week with Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, David Lau, and other dignitaries ahead of Yom Kippur to discuss the importance of forgiveness on the holiest day of the year.
Givat Shmuel Mayor Yossi Brodny, other municipal leaders and Principal Chanit Freshtand joined the students as they met with Rabbi Lau, and listened to him tell the story of how, some 10 years ago, he tracked down a classmate from elementary school. That boy was a new immigrant to Israel whom Lau felt he did not help enough through his absorption process, and from whom he wanted to request forgiveness.
Among the Givat Shmuel students was a girl who herself had just immigrated to Israel one month ago. Rabbi Lau presented her with a Mahzor, a prayer book for the High Holy Days, and wished her an easy absorption process in Israel.
“Hearing Rabbi Lau speak emotionally ahead of Yom Kippur about his personal request for forgiveness from a new immigrant was a social and moral clarion call for everyone at the ulpana,” said the school’s rabbi, Amir Sandler.
