PRESS RELEASE: 8 December 1999

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Clean Slate Campaign the Chief Rabbi, Professor Jonathan Sacks, has urged people to begin the new millennium by putting right the things that they feel bad about, in order to start a new age with a clear conscience.

Speaking to Patrons and supporters of the campaign in London (and via audio link) Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the Chief Rabbi said:

"To move on to the future, we have to let go of the past, and to do this we have to make amends. Otherwise we carry the past with us as a lingering wound. The world is full of pain, and the most tragic is the pain we could so easily end by simple words: 'I was wrong. I'm sorry. Forgive me'. It takes a special kind of courage to apologise, but the rewards are great."
ENDS

Notes to editors:
1. The Clean Slate Campaign launched earlier in the year invites invites people to think of something they would like to wipe off their slate before the end of the year - and then to do it.
2. Other speakers at the event (held in the Reform Club library) included Martyn Lewis, the Bishop of London, Cardinal Cahal Davy, Anne Widdecombe MP, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist communities. The Secretary of State for Education and Employment sent a message of support.
3. Other Jewish patrons of the Clean Slate present at the event held in the Reform Club library were Rabbi Tony Bayfield and Mr Neville Nagler.
4. For photographs and other information please contact the Clean Slate Campaign on info@cleanslate.org or visit www.cleanslate.org

© Copyright Office of the Chief Rabbi 1999 - all rights reserved. Reproduction of this Web site, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from the Office of the Chief Rabbi is prohibited.