Simchat Torah San Antonio Jewish Community: The Jewish community of San Antonio is getting together to celebrate Simchat Torah. This holiday marks the start of a new year of readings from the Torah scrolls. The mood is solemn. An event to remember the people who died in Israel is being planned by many.
“Heartbreaking” is how senior rabbi Mara Nathan of Temple Beth-El describes the mood, which shows how unhappy many people are.
People want to get involved in the battles, even though prayers for peace aren’t heard. Rabbi Nathan says there is no reason to act instead of just watching what is happening.
Nammie Ichilov, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, has been going through many different feelings as she watched the effects of the war. The neighbourhood is trying to figure out the problem and the best thing to do while in crisis response mode.
The Jewish Federation is holding a solidarity event at Temple Beth-El on Monday. People can come together to pray, mourn the deaths of loved ones, hope that prisoners will be freed, and look for a way to make peace.
On the other hand, there are people in the groups who support Palestine as well. Ichilov doesn’t understand why invitations to a pro-Palestine gathering in downtown San Antonio are showing up on social media.
Many people at Temple Beth-El are committed to asking for an end to the violence, even though they have different views. People who think that everyone, not just Israelis and the state of Israel, should feel safe and comfortable in their homes are supported.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, there was a 36% rise in antisemitic events from 2021 to 2022. This is the third year in a row that these numbers have gone up. Because of these worrying trends, Rabbi Nathan and Ichilov say that the police have called them as a safety measure.
ALSO READ: Arrest of Le’Keian Woods Sparks Controversy: Florida Police Force Debate
Our Reader’s Queries
What is the Jewish population in San Antonio?
Metropolitan AreaCityCountryJewish Population
San AntonioUnited States12,740
RichmondUnited States12,500
AlbanyUnited States12,500
CharlotteUnited States12,000
And many more with a total of 154 metropolitan areas.
How do Jews celebrate Simchat Torah?
Simchat Torah means the joy of Torah in Hebrew. It’s a celebration with dancing and singing to mark the end of the year-long reading of the Bible. Every week, congregations worldwide read a section of the Torah, called a parashah, in a specific order.
Is Simchat Torah a no work holiday?
SHMINI ATZERET A sacred day of rest. No work, writing, business, or travel allowed. SIMCHAT TORAH A holy day. No work, writing, business, or travel permitted.
Is work permitted on Simchat Torah?
During this holiday, uncontainable happiness fills the air, culminating on Simchat Torah, a day of rejoicing in finishing and restarting the annual Torah-reading cycle. These two days mark a significant holiday (yom tov), during which many types of work are not allowed.