23 September, 2025 by Eric Dunkelberger

Yesterday evening, as the first stars became visible, the High Holy Days of Judaism began. This is the period between Rosh Hashanah (literally ‘head of the year’), the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in the Jewish faith, commemorating events from Moses’ time. Just months after their leaving Egypt behind, Moses climbed Mount Sinai to receive the Law from the LORD. The people below got tired of waiting for Moses’ return; they built a golden calf and began worshipping it. Moses was angry, but G-D was more so. Moses ascended the mountain and prayed for 80 day for forgiveness for his people. Moses came down from the mountain with His full favor on this day in history 3,338 years ago. This day in the Jewish faith, the 10th day of the month of Tishrei, would be called the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.

The High Holy Days, the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are meant for forgiveness and repentance. That may be simple enough for sins from yourself, but those against others involves confession and asking for their forgiveness. This takes much reflection on your life and lifestyle and should be completed before Yom Kippur.

You may ask, why am I falling back on my days as a Jew. I must confess that I wasn’t the strongest of the Jewish faith. I was a sinner. As a Christian, I’m still a sinner. The things both religions share are confession, repentance and forgiveness of your sins. I did these things as a Jew, although not as much as I should have. I still do these things as a Christian, though more arduously. Still, I’m a sinner. We all are. There’s only been one with no sin and that was Jesus Christ, my Lord, Savior, my King.

Last Sunday, many of us saw the greatest example of forgiveness we’ve ever seen, live on television. In front of 100,000 people and millions on the TV, Erika Kirk gave her forgiveness to the man who killed her husband. This was just eight days after the assassination. Christianity is strong in this woman. I’ve held grudges for years. I’ve lost contact with many of those. I’ve missed opportunities to seek their forgiveness.

I’ve been a Christian for six years now. The event Sunday made me want to become a stronger Christian, as Erika obviously is. She will be a great role model for the members of Turning Point USA, past, current and future.

I’m over 70 years old now. I have more time to study His Word and live His Word. I want to inspire faith and kindness, embodying Christ’s teachings with every word and deed, so that, through my actions, those around me come to know the profound and transformative love of Jesus Christ in their lives.