**Yom Kippur War: How the Book of Isaiah Spurred World Jewry to Back Israel and Refusniks in 1973**

The haftarah for Yom Kippur begins with the action-filled words of Isaiah: *“We must act; we must cut the road through. It is up to us to clear the way for Ami, My people, God’s people.”* These powerful words inspired many to take a stand during a critical time in Jewish history.

In the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War, the global Jewish community rallied in unprecedented solidarity. A vivid example of this unity was seen in New York City in 1975, during the Solidarity Sunday for Soviet Jewry demonstration. Thousands marched beneath the banner, *“We Shall Not Be Silent,”* protesting the Soviet Union’s harsh treatment of Jewish people and demanding freedom for Soviet Jews, many of whom were known as refusniks—Jews denied permission to emigrate.

*Photo Credit: Peter Keegan/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images*

This period marked a significant chapter in Jewish activism, fueled in part by the spiritual call to action found in Isaiah’s words. It underscored the resolve of world Jewry to support Israel and advocate for the rights of oppressed Jews worldwide.

*By David Geffen*
https://www.jpost.com/history/article-869076