On the Israeli and Reform Jewish calendars we celebrate Sh’mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah on the same day – this year on Friday evening and Saturday morning of this coming Shabbat, October 9-10.
Sh’mini Atzeret extends the feeling of Sukkot even though Sukkot has already ended – we don’t shake lulav and etrog – it is a lingering to celebrate one day more. Meanwhile, Simchat Torah celebrates the cycle of our Torah readings beginning again.
This year we are well-aware of the vulnerability that Sukkot reminds us of, even as we are desperate to capture the celebrations of coming together in a Sukkah. As we celebrate this Friday evening with the Torah at Camp Centerland, I urge us all to find the moments of joy in our lives that might sustain us through these days of uncertainty.
Wishing all of you all the best as we support and protect one another, and hopefully find celebrations together,