Featuring ritual, singing, dancing, theater, and music by the Circus Amok Band and Friends!

During the holiday of Simchat Torah – Celebration of Torah -- we will celebrate and investigate the evolving political life of LGBTQ Jewish communities regarding our relationship to safety, dignity, and justice in our neighborhoods and the City of New York. Together, JFREJ and Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) will build a multi-generational LGBTQ Jewish community through the celebration of Torah, sharing personal and communal stories and political visions. We have the scroll, we have the music, we have the fabulousness…who could ask for anything more? In Simchat Torah celebration and services, Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried by congregants around the synagogue seven times. During these seven circuits, or hakafot, there is singing, dancing, and all kinds participatory performance. In our seven-episode theatre piece, each episode will introduce one of the Hakafot. In preparation, our artists, organizers, and rabbis are exploring customs and songs from all over the world, and making up our own. We're designing dances for folks in chairs, and at all levels of mobility. This party is for Everyone. Come dance, sing, and raise havoc with us.

Want to help create and perform in Simchat Torah? Join us for rehearsals on 9/20, 9/27 (with kids in the Sukkah!), and 10/4 from 2-5 PM. E-mail Rachel@jfrej.org if you'd like to get involved.