Dutch Farewell Celebration For Queen Beatrix Creates Yom Kippur Conflict For Jews

Holland's Queen Beatrix, who recently turned 75, announced in January that after 33 years she is abdicating the throne and handing the crown over to her son. An official event in Rottrdam to wish the Queen a happy retirement has been scheduled for Sept. 14. JTA reported yesterday that Dutch chief rabbi Binyomin Jacobs says the Jewish community is distressed because the celebration coincides with Yom Kippur and thus many Jews will be unable to attend the farewell event.  Jacobs said: "Jews are again faced with a reality in which they don’t belong, and that is painful."  Limited availability of the conference center at which the event will be held makes it unlikely that it will be rescheduled.