The Chabad of Hewlett celebrated the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah with a giant celebration in their new building, on Everit Avenue in Hewlett.
Simchat Torah commemorates the conclusion and restart of the annual Torah reading cycle and is celebrated with dancing, music and festive food.
The Chabad held their 14th community celebration in honor of the rejoicing of the Torah, on Oct. 14.
This year was special as Jews honored the release of the 20 remaining alive hostages from the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, just two years after it occurred.
“To see the entire Jewish community of Hewlett dancing, singing, and celebrating together, it fills us with indescribable joy and pride,” said Rivkie Tenenboim, Chabad of Hewlett. “This year was especially emotional as we celebrated the return of hostages and a great victory for Israel. We couldn’t sleep that night from the sheer energy and gratitude.”
There was a children’s Hakafot party when the Torah scrolls are removed from the ark and paraded around while people sing and dance at 5 p.m., and a community celebration at 7:30 p.m.
The evening featured merchandise and flags with the phrase Am Yisrael Chai “the people of Israel live” along with a buffet dinner, music from the Boys if Israel Choir and an open bar.
“While the hands-on preparation took a few weeks, the vision and planning began months in advance,” Tenenboim said. “We’re always thinking about how to make this celebration more meaningful, more inclusive, and more joyful for every member of our community.”
Tenenboim said it’s important to celebrate Simchat Torah now more than ever and to show that Judaism is joyful and alive.
“In a time of rising antisemitism, Simchat Torah reminds us, and especially our children, that our Jewish traditions are beautiful, uplifting, and worth celebrating,” she added. “It’s a powerful message: being Jewish is something to dance about.”
“We’re celebrating Simchat Torah and having the Torah,” said Arielle Vaknine, Hewlett resident. “It’s a very joyous time for us and especially this week because the hostages have returned and it’s a very positive week of us.”
Vaknine, 18, is currently studying abroad in Israel for a year and celebrating Simchat Torah was her last Jewish holiday while living in America.
“It’s amazing,” she added. “I’m so happy that I get to go at a time where there won’t be any war and everyone is happy. I think there are exciting things to come.”
Ronnie Korn, 15, Hewlett High School student, said she came to the Chabad of Hewlett to celebrate the Torah and to be apart of the community celebration.
“I came to celebrate something that’s very powerful with our culture with everyone here together,” Korn said. “It’s not so much a religious thing, it’s about having a strong Jewish community and a strong community voice.”
Rafaella Heamie, 15, Hewlett High School student, said she wants to start off her new year with happiness, joyous times and to bring the community together with ther Torah.
“I came here just to celebrate this occasion because everything is so happy now,” Heamie said. “The hostages are home and it’s a great way to start off the new year with a new beginning and positive vibes.”
