As Sukkot concludes, Jewish tradition adds Shemini Atzeret—“the pause of the eighth day”—a moment of lingering together before the festival season ends. Over time, Simchat Torah, the celebration of completing and restarting the Torah reading, became joined to this day, turning it into one of the happiest moments of the year.

In Israel, and in most Reform communities, Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated together. Traditional communities outside Israel observe them over two days: one for reflection and prayer, the other for dancing and rejoicing with Torah. At Shtiebel, though we are in Australia, we follow the Israeli tradition and merge both into a single, powerful festival—honouring the depth of Atzeret and the joy of Simchat Torah.

The pinnacle of the evening is hakafot—dancing and singing with the scrolls as we end one Torah cycle and begin the next. In the morning, we read the final verses of D’varim and immediately return to Bereshit, celebrating our endless cycle of learning, renewal, and joy. At Shtiebel, this moment is made even more special as we invite back our b’ mitzvah students and honour those who have learned Cantillation/trope in the past year—linking their voices of Torah to the life of our community.