Many Jews across the United States and globe will never forget last year’s Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, marked by grim phone alerts and somber conversations in synagogue. This year, these communities are faced with the challenge of how to celebrate the holiday one year later.
Rabbi Leo Dee, writing in Britain’s Jewish Chronicle, pondered the conflicting emotions surrounding the holiday: “On the one hand, it is a festival, a day of joy. On the other hand, it is the anniversary of a tragic attack against humanity.”
Oct. 7, 2023, and its aftermath have left a lasting impact on the Jewish calendar, with people finding ways to commemorate the event throughout the year. From salvaged menorahs to empty seats at Passover seders, the memory of the attack remains present.
Simchat Torah, which begins on Thursday evening, poses a unique challenge this year. It is both a day of joy and a day of mourning, as it marks the one-year Hebrew anniversary of the attack. Synagogues and communities have grappled with how to balance these conflicting emotions.
Some congregations are incorporating moments of solemn remembrance into the traditional hakafot dances. Others have chosen to focus on themes of resilience and hope, symbolized by the Torah scrolls themselves.
Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, plans to pay tribute to the victims on Shemini Atzeret before transitioning into the joy of Simchat Torah. Resilience and unity have been central themes in many communities as they navigate this complex holiday.
Some communities are choosing to forgo traditional celebrations in favor of more somber observances. Others are embracing the message of hope and perseverance, symbolized by the phrase “We will dance again.”
As Jews around the world prepare to celebrate Simchat Torah, the holiday serves as a time for reflection and introspection. Whether through moments of silence, acts of remembrance, or gestures of solidarity, the spirit of the holiday encourages individuals to engage deeply with the world around them.
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