Simchat Torah 2023/5784

“Psalm 137, By the Rivers of Babylon, says ‘How can we sing God’s song in a foreign land?’ I say ‘How can we sing God’s song in a congregation being traumatized even as we sing?’

“This year, for Simchat Torah 2023, our Rabbi wisely acknowledged the trauma, thoroughly describing the situation in Israel—and then we celebrated the Torah, but dialed back, omitting the dancing. 

“The resulting service really meant something, both as a celebration of the Torah and an acknowledgment of the terrible Hamas invasion.” 

—CBST member Larry Kay on CBST Simchat Torah 5784/2023 services