Some communities celebrate Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah on two separate days; in other communities they are combined. Either way, this grand finale to the fall holiday season comes with a wide array of themes and practices. It culminates with a raucous celebration of Jewish learning and Jewish community, as we dance with the Torah scrolls and read both the end and the beginning of the Torah on the very same day.
What is there to praise?
We are part of a hidden community
A presence that bursts forth from the emptiness
I saw the ocean unfolding. But really it was Torah
Kiddush: Humanist liturgy
A prayer for rain during the Amidah on Shemini Atzeret in memory of those fallen during the Yom Kippur War
Poem for the dedication of a new Torah cover
Song for a women’s Torah reading on Simchat Torah, based on the traditional Chatan Torah poem
A complete ritual featuring a prayer for rain, packing boxes of food for a food pantry, and an optional text study.
Subscribe for the latest rituals, online learning opportunities, and unique Judaica finds from our store.