Rapper Kanye West, who legally changed his name to Ye in 2021, met privately with New York Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto to apologize for past antisemitic remarks. The meeting was shared online by Rabbi Pinto on Instagram, where West expressed “profound remorse” and sought forgiveness.
In the video, West attributed his previous statements to personal struggles, including bipolar disorder, and described the meeting as the first step in “building back the strong walls” of respect and understanding. Rabbi Pinto welcomed him warmly and encouraged him with teachings from the Torah.
“A person is not defined by his mistakes, but by the way he chooses to correct them,” Rabbi Pinto said. “This is the true strength of man: the ability to return, to learn, and to build bridges of love and peace.”
West has a long history of antisemitic remarks. In 2022, his repeated offensive statements led to Adidas, Balenciaga, Vogue, and talent agency CAA cutting ties with him, costing him billions. Earlier this year, he released a song titled Heil Hitler, which was widely condemned and removed from several platforms.
The meeting has drawn mixed reactions. Rabbi Shumley Boteach called it a “vomit-inducing whitewash,” while the Anti-Defamation League reiterated past concerns about West’s antisemitism. Some, like rapper Nicki Minaj, praised West for taking accountability.
Given West’s history of controversial statements and erratic behavior, it remains uncertain whether this apology will mark a genuine change in his public conduct.
