Simchat Torah 2024: We Will Dance Once More

A full year has passed since Simchat Torah on October 7, 2023. A full year has passed since the attempted genocide of our people.

This holiday — typically marked by celebrations as communities gather to dance and sing to honor the Torah and complete the reading cycle — ended with a horrific massacre that stole the joy from us, leaving deep wounds that will never fully heal.

The brutal slaughter that took place was not just a sadistic attack on innocent lives — it was an attack on the very essence of who we are as a people. Men, women, and children were targeted simply for being Jewish, for living their lives and for celebrating their faith.

As Simchat Torah approaches once again, we find ourselves in a profoundly different place. We take a moment to remember the countless lives lost — those whose futures were tragically cut short and the families left behind to bear the weight of unimaginable grief.

While we will still gather to celebrate this year, the carefree joy that typically defines this holiday will be replaced by a more solemn spirit. We will dance and sing with a profound sadness in our hearts as we honor those we lost, and pray for the swift recovery of the injured and for the safe return of the hostages. Yet this year, we will also unite as a nation to reaffirm our resilience and strength as a people.

Indeed, the past year has been a testament to the extraordinary resilience we have seen emerge from our remarkable nation.

While the massacre sought to break our spirit, it did the opposite. It instead strengthened our determination. With unmatched heroism, our brave boys and girls have sacrificed so much to defend our people. Many of them still in their teenage years, have stood on the front lines of Israel’s Defense Forces, putting their lives at risk to protect our people and our homeland. They are an inspiration to us all and have shown the world what true courage looks like.

Similarly, the global Jewish community has been a source of immense strength, reminding us that no matter where we are in the world, we are all part of one extended family. From the heartfelt prayers to the material aid sent to help Israel’s residents, the message is clear: we are in this together. The bonds of kinship that unite us as Jews have never been stronger, and this support has been vital, providing strength and solace to those who need it most.

This Simchat Torah, we may not experience the same joy that we once did, but we celebrate nonetheless because to refrain from marking the occasion would signify defeat. And we will not be defeated.

By coming together to celebrate, we affirm to ourselves and the world that our faith, unity, and hope for the future remain unshaken. In fact, they burn brighter than ever. No matter how dark the world may seem, the light of the Jewish people — both here in Israel and across the Jewish world — will continue to shine through.

Despite the hardships of the past year, we remain unbroken and united in our unwavering commitment to continuing to forge a secure and prosperous future for ourselves and for generations to come.

On this Simchat Torah, and on every Simchat Torah, we will honor the unbreakable spirit of the Jewish people, knowing without doubt that we will dance once more, stronger and more resolute than ever before.

Yaakov Hagoel is the Chairman of the Executive of the World Zionist Organization. He was formerly acting chairman of The Jewish Agency for Israel.

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