Cohen says he hadn't realized concerts fell on days of solemn religious observance

Photo: Yaron Brener

Leonard Cohen respects Jewish holidays

Legendary singer-songwriter apologizes to British fans for inconvenience of rescheduling concert dates which fall on Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur

Ashley Baylen|Published: 07.04.13 , 13:39

Legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen has issued an apology to his fans in the United Kingdom after choosing to reschedule a couple dates that fell on Jewish holidays.

Cohen was scheduled to play at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on Rosh Hashana and at the O2 Arena in London on Yom Kippur. According to the BBC, he hadn’t realized these two concerts fell on the holidays when they were originally confirmed.

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Cohen will now play in Leeds on September 7 and in London on September 15.

The 78-year old Canadian Jew and his promoter AEG released a statement apologizing to fans.

“When Leonard Cohen learned today that two of his UK concerts were scheduled on days of solemn religious observance, he respectfully asked AEG to move the dates,” the statement reads.

“We at AEG, and Leonard, apologize deeply for the inconvenience this will cause, and we hope and trust that the reasons for the changes will be understood.”

All of the other dates on Cohen’s UK tour throughout August and September will not be affected.

Rosh Hashana begins on the evening of September 4 and ends in the evening of September 6, while Yom Kippur begins in the evening of September 13 and ends in the evening of September 14.

Reprinted with permission from Shalom Life