The event, which was co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN together with the Forum for Cultural diplomacy, took place a week before the UN's historic 70th General Assembly.

“Tashlich”, Hebrew for “tossing”, is a ritual of casting away the wrongdoings of the previous year into a flowing body of water, allowing it to carry away the burdens of the past and start the year with a clean slate.

Among the distinguished guests who participated in the Jewish tradition, were UN Secretary General, H.E. Ban Ki-moon, as well as fellow UN Ambassadors from many countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ukraine, Brazil, Norway, Palau, Ireland and Argentina. The ceremony was held by Senior Rabbi Schneier, one of New York City's top Jewish Community leaders.

The Tashlich event follows the successful Israeli campaign last year which led to the UN General Assembly recognizing the importance of Yom Kippur as the holiest day of the Jewish year.

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Ron Prosor, made opening remarks at the ceremony which coincided with the International day of peace:

“According to the Jewish tradition, this time of year is a time of reflection, an opportunity to consider the challenges of the past and to lay out goals and aspirations for the future. As we mark 70 years since the founding of the UN, this is an opportunity to reflect on the objectives of this institution and to let the voices of reason and of tolerance to reclaim the public space, so that the UN can reestablish its rightful role as a bastion of freedom and as a temple of peace."

Senior Rabbi Arthur Schneier, who held the Tashlich ceremony, noted that the eve of Yom Kippur would take place the next day, and said that ‘both Judaism and the UN’s founding fathers share the understanding of the importance of forgiveness.’