Across the US, Simchat Torah festivities are muted by anxiety about Israel at war
Some services transformed into vigils as rabbis struggled with how to balance joy and sorrow
 
	Some services transformed into vigils as rabbis struggled with how to balance joy and sorrow
 
	The entire country of Israel is waiting, unsure of what happens next
 
	Women’s-only spaces often inadvertently reinforce the idea that women should be hidden away
 
	From the start of the COVID-19 High Holiday season, I dreaded Simchat Torah. I knew that Rosh Hashanah in lockdown wouldn’t be an issue for me. Being a rabbi has its perks — I’m familiar with the prayer service, amused by my own off-key singing and accustomed to blowing the Shofar for my family every…
 
	The morning sky is pitch black, the children’s pencils are no longer sharp and their backpacks are bursting with shards of construction paper, the heat hasn’t been turned on yet, and every surface in your kitchen is unpleasantly sticky with honey residue. Well put on a chunky sweater and take a swig of Manischewitz, bitch,…
 
	This article originally appeared in the Yiddish Forverts. In today’s trip to the past, we examine an invitation to a party – a Jewish Holiday Party. I found this fascinating poster in the YIVO digital collection of POSTERS FROM DISPLACED PERSONS CAMPS, which are on display at the website of the American Center of Jewish…
 
	Defying the KGB agents milling around, thousands of Jews tried to get into the great hall of the synagogue
 
	The end of Sukkot / Jewish holidaypalooza season is nigh and the holiday of Simchat Torah, a celebration of completing the annual Torah cycle, is almost upon us. Traditionally, Jews celebrate by dancing with Torah scrolls in the synagogue — but some adventurous chefs are dancing with their Torahs and eating them, too. “Love experimenting…
 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 
	איין פֿאָרשער האָט גערעדט וועגן דעם וואָס נישט בלויז די פֿרומע און אָרעמע ייִדן האָבן גערעדט ייִדיש, נאָר די רײַכע און געבילדעטע אויך.
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