Simchat Torah 7/10/23
Omri-
Simchat Torah is the holiday we have all been waiting for, whether consciously or unconsciously. Throughout the entire High Holidays season, we have made sure to prepare ourselves to receive the Torah and resume reading from it. We have shared our intentions to have the ability to absorb all the wisdom that the Torah has to offer.
In my town, located in Israel, Simchat Torah is celebrated with big pride. Colorful trucks with bright lights, music, drive their way through the streets and neighborhoods, with the Torah scroll at the forefront, leading the entire celebration.
Most people join in the festivities, celebrating, laughing, and, most importantly, dancing! It's so good and fun to witness so many people come together, going out and expressing their happiness.
When everyone comes out to dance together, a profound sense of unity prevails. Even in these recent years marked by anger and polarization, you can still feel a strong sense of togetherness when you join in and see everyone dancing together.
Sharon-
Three years ago on Simchat Torah, in the small synagogue my family and I go to in Israel, I had the honor of reading the first portion of Bereshit. Obviously I was very nervous, but also very excited.
When I was 12, I decided I wanted to do a bat mitzvah ceremony. I knew all the boys my age do it, and saw no reason why I wouldn't be able to as well. My ceremony wasn’t usual - due to health complications of my cousin the date had to be moved last minute with a lot of alterations that followed.
When learning for the Parashah, I realized how much I love taking part in Jewish culture. Talking with the rabbi, being part of the bat mitzvah program and studying the Parasha made me feel connected to my heritage and culture.
Two years later, my synagogue offered I joined the upcoming course to learn how to teach cantillation notes. After I finished the course, which I don’t remember a lot from today, as mentioned earlier, I read Bereshit. For me, this was the peak of a very long process of learning about my personal relationship with judaism, both as a culture and as a religion. This is one of the reasons Simchat Torah holds a very special place in my heart, and I am so very excited to be spending it with you this year.
