(RNS) — Jewish life was nearly extinguished by the Nazis. But because of a historical quirk, Czech Jewish liturgical objects, such as Torah scrolls, survived. Now, one such scroll has made it back.

Consequently, Simchat Torah, the most joyful day on the Jewish calendar, is now intrinsically connected to one of the darkest days in modern Jewish history. This month marks the first Simchat Torah ...

Jews in New Jersey normally greet Simchat Torah, which begins at sunset on Thursday, with joy. It's traditionally a holiday of dance, song and feasts. Simchat Torah, which means "rejoicing of the ...

Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel took place on the only Jewish holiday with “joy” in its name. For many Jews across the United States and globe, memories of last year’s Shemini Atzeret and ...

(JTA) — For the last dozen years, an array of synagogues from multiple denominations have gathered together in a central location in Brooklyn to sing and dance with the Torah, the centerpiece of ...

Join Rabbi Eric Yanoff as he reflects on the poignant message in Vayeilech, linking tradition to modern emotions.

How is it possible to commemorate the darkest event in Israeli history on the most joyful day of the Jewish year? This is not a rhetorical question. The massacre of Oct. 7 happened last year on the ...

In the early hours of Oct. 7, 2023, as the Jewish community in Israel faced its gravest attack since the Holocaust, and while many Jewish communities around the world were still asleep, preparing to ...

(JTA) — How are we supposed to celebrate Simchat Torah this year with a full heart? The very name of this holiday — “the joy of the Torah,” celebrating the completion of the annual Torah cycle — ...

The tears of this year’s Simchat Torah and the tragedies that befell all of Am Yisrael will never be forgotten. In one of the most powerful piyutim ever written about the sacrifice of Isaac, the ...

Succot represents more clearly than any other festival the dualities of Judaism. The Four Species (lulav, etrog, hadassim and aravot) are a symbol of the land of Israel, while the succah reminds us of ...