The United Nations General Assembly, in an unusual—and somewhat unexpected—act, has declared Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, to be an official holiday. Does this mean that the U.N.—often in the middle of its annual “General Debate”—is going to take a day off on the 10^th of Tishrei? Well…not exactly.

     The effort to get “recognition” for Yom Kippur dates back at least a year, to the 69^th Session of th U.N. General Assembly, in the Fall of 2014. At that time a campaign was mounted—spearheaded primarily by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations—to have Yom Kippur recognized as an official  United Nations Holiday (It was not at that time specified what “form” the recognition would take.). A delegation descended upon U.N. Headquarters, and distributed flyers with the “case” for Yom Kippur, which were meant to be distributed all over the buildings (Apparently, some of them weren’t: this correspondent found a large pile of them dumped on a sink in the Secretariat lobby men’s room. They were removed from that ignominious “exile”, and immediately thereafter distributed at various points in the North Delegates’ Lounge.).

     Several days later, a meeting was held at Park East Synagogue on East 67^th Street. At that meeting, Park East’s Rabbi, Arthur Schneier, and several other leaders (Christian, Muslim, and others) addressed the audience and voiced support for the effort for the recognition of Yom Kippur. And there—for over a year—the entire campaign seemed to languish, as if in limbo.

     Suddenly, over a year later, it was suddenly announced that an “Unprecedented victory” had passed the Yom Kippur resolution in the General Assembly. In fact, it was a routine resolution, recognizing seven religious and other holidays as what are called “floating holidays” for U.N. staff. Designated as General Assembly Resolution 69/250 (passed by the 69^th, or previous, General Assembly), it includes Presidents’ Day, Yom Kippur, and five other Orthodox Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh Festivals. Thus, Jewish U.N. employees—of whom there are many, of numerous world nationalities (some in prominent positions)—may take any one of these days as a holiday, without having to do so as a “personal day”.

     Undoubtedly, the United States—as has been well-credited—played a vital role in pushing for acceptance of this Resolution. And Jews everywhere have a right to be proud to have this very holiest day recognized by the United Nations.