On Simchat Torah, we celebrate the completion of one cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of another.
In 2024, we observed Simchat Torah with a special service, followed by Yizkor study and service the following day. Join us next fall for this special holiday!
Donate to Our Tree of Life
Simchat Torah is also a meaningful time to donate to our Tree of Life at Temple Beth Shalom.The Tree of Life hangs on the wall of our lobby, where it honors s'machot, joyous sacred moments, and relationships within our temple family. As we move forward with optimism to another year of Torah reading, financial support of our Tree of Life is one way to support and nourish our community.
About Simchat Torah
Immediately following Sukkot, we celebrate Sh'mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, a fun-filled day during which we celebrate the completion of the annual reading of the Torah and affirm Torah as one of the pillars on which we build our lives.
As part of the celebration, it is customary for the Torah scrolls to be taken from the ark and carried or danced around the synagogue seven times.
During the Torah service, the concluding section of the fifth book of the Torah, D'varim (Deuteronomy), is read, and immediately following, the opening section of Genesis, or B'reishit as it is called in Hebrew, is read. This practice represents the cyclical nature of the relationship between the Jewish people and the reading of the Torah.