Shabbat Is For Nervous System Recovery It Doesn’t Matter If You’re Not Religious It Still Has So

You can't be antizionist and pro-indigenous. You have to pick one.

Or are you only pro-indigenous when it isn't The Jews™️?

you have to be normal about religious jews you have to be normal about religious jews you have to be normal about religious jews you have to be normal about religious jews

A Simchat Torah we can never forget

On the morning of October 7, 2023, Simchat Torah, the Jewish community faced its most horrific day since the Holocaust, with over 1,200 lives cruelly taken and many more held hostage. This tragedy has bonded us in deep collective sorrow.

As the Jewish world remains united in grief, we are challenged with the difficult question:

How do we move forward from such profound loss?

Can we dance? Should we dance?

October 2024 will mark the first Simchat Torah since the devastating events of October 7, 2023. Traditionally a day of joy, dancing, and celebration, this Simchat Torah will also serve as the first yahrzeit for the 1,200 victims and a time to honor the hostages and soldiers who have passed since that day.

Now the Jewish community faces profound questions: How should we respond? Is it possible to celebrate as we once did?

With tears in our eyes we will dance

The words of King Solomon in Kohelet, that we will read on Sukkot, offer us guidance: “There is a time for everything under the Heavens… a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Simchat Torah 2024 will be that time.

A Simchat Torah shared throughout the world

Synagogues around the world will open their Aron HaKodesh (Torah Ark) on Simchat Torah night and take out several Torah scrolls. One, or more, will be adorned with a new me’il (Torah cover), designed to mark the first yahrzeit of October 7th. This me’il will be identical to the ones which will be created for 1600 synagogues across the world. This beautifully designed me’il will proclaim that this Torah is dedicated in memory of the 1200 souls and the many soldiers and hostages who have since died, Al Kiddush Hashem.

Every Single Soul is an Entire Torah

Each Torah me'il will feature the name of one of the kedoshim (holy souls/victims) embroidered onto it. Communities around the world will dance with these Torah scrolls – thousands of communities, with hundreds of thousands if not millions of Jews being connected through this project.Each me’il (Torah cover) is embroidered with the flag of Israel along with the Pasuk from Kohelet, “There is a time to mourn, and a time to dance”The Front of the me’il (Torah cover) for both Ashkenazi and Sephardi TorahsThe Back is embroidered with the name of one of the souls of the many soldiers and hostages who have died, Al Kiddush Hashem since the events of October 7th.

United in sorrow. United in celebration.

The Jewish world will be unified, knowing that across the globe, Jews are dancing with Torah scrolls that collectively link us all with the events of October 7th, and inspire us to realize that “Am Yisrael Chai.” Synagogues will encourage their members to come and dance with the newly robed scroll, to remember the fallen, by holding their Torah high, so that they can say: “We will not forget what happened on Simchat Torah last year, but we are determined to dispel the darkness with light.”

This project will symbolize the Jewish People’s resilience, our ability to find hope in the face of tragedy.

Over 1600 communities across the globe will unite for Israel and the Jewish people.

My shul is partcipating in this. Thought I'd spread the word.

Here's a controversial opinion that really shouldn't be:

Palestinians have the right to live in their homeland (or any other land) with security and dignity.

Israelis and Diaspora Jews also have the right to live in their homeland (or any other land) with security and dignity.

These need not and should not be contradictory positions, because the entire point of human rights is that they're universal, and if they're not, then they're not rights, just privileges, and you don't really believe in human rights at all.

bisexuals. Attack

Fighting a new chronic condition during the entire high holiday season has got me feeling real down. I keep having dreams about dwelling in a sukkah because I haven’t felt well enough to do so irl. I’m praying for enough wellness and energy to enjoy Simchat Torah in person, rather than on my synagogue’s livestream.

I know logically that there’s no shame in taking care of my body. But it’s so hard to feel fulfilled this time of year when I’m stuck on my sofa.

bearer of the curse <- knows basic facts about jewish history; goes on the internet daily

The days leading into the HHDs are the worst for me. It's always the time of year I never feel "Jewish Enough." I have been wrestling with this thought all day and thought I might come here and remind you, kind reader:

You are Jewish Enough just as you are.

Chronic illness vibes refusing to stop for the high holidays shouldn’t surprise me, but I’m still upset about it