In a year marked by profound grief and unwavering resilience, the JLIC Mizrachi community at Bar Ilan University and Givat Shmuel faced the challenge of celebrating Simchat Torah while carrying the weight of recent history. JLIC directors Yaffy and Rav Nadav Newman understood the complexity of this moment – how to honor both the joy of Torah and the somber anniversary of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its devastating attack on Israel.
Their response was to create meaning through learning. They organized a special siyum, where students would engage in Torah study from October 7, 2024, through Simchat Torah, transforming dates of darkness into days of light and wisdom. This initiative resonated deeply with the community, as Jews everywhere grappled with how to celebrate a traditionally joyous holiday that now carried echoes of mourning. The weight of this celebration was particularly heavy, as many continued to pray for the safe return of hostages still held captive and for the wellbeing of soldiers defending Israel’s borders.
On the evening of Simchat Torah, the community gathered on the basketball courts, ready to celebrate. Approximately 100 people enjoyed the warm, festive atmosphere, savoring the make-your-own sub and soup stations. The student designated to complete the siyum stood at the front, about to begin. Suddenly, a piercing wail of air raid sirens shattered the joyous scene, sending everyone scrambling for the safety of the bomb shelter.
The sharp contrast of celebration and alarm was jarring, but the community refused to let the moment be diminished. Even as they hurried into shelters, the student charged with the siyum continued, his voice unwavering amidst the chaos. In the confines of the shelter, his words reverberated, a defiant declaration that the light of Torah could not be extinguished, even in the face of darkness.
This remarkable evening stood as a microcosm of contemporary Jewish life in Israel – the interweaving of joy and vigilance, celebration and solemn remembrance. Many of those huddled in the shelter had been in a similar position the year before, when the fateful events of October 7, 2023 occurred. Yet, in that moment, the community adapted, transforming the shelter from a space of fear into one of sacred study and celebration.
While the community found ways to honor the holiday’s traditional joy, they did so while holding space for their grief and concern for those still in harm’s way. The evening demonstrated that even in times of uncertainty and danger, the light of Torah study and community solidarity could illuminate the darkness.
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