This October will mark the first Simchat Torah since the horrific events of October 7th.

King Solomon offers us guidance in Kohelet, which we will read on Sukkot, “There is a time for everything under the Heavens…. a time to mourn and a time to dance.” This Simchat Torah, with tears in our eyes, we will dance.

Synagogues around the world will open their Aron HaKodesh on Simchat Torah night and take out several Torah scrolls. One, 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. Each Torah me'il will feature the name of one of the kedoshim 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.