At the conclusion of Sukkot are the two holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat . In Israel and among Reform Jews they are combined into one holiday on the day after the conclusion of . Among more traditional Jews outside of Israel, they are observed separately from one another on two consecutive days. Shemini Atzeret means the “Eighth Day of Assembly,” and Simchat Torah means “Rejoicing in Torah.” Simchat Torah marks the end of the Torah reading cycle, reflected in the ritual of chanting the end of the Torah, followed immediately by reading the beginning of the Torah.
East Coast (Eastern Daylight Time)
Adas Israel (Conservative)
Adas Israel, located in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1869. It is “socially-conscious, and aspires to celebrate Conservative Judaism at its creative best.” Led by Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt and Rabbi Aaron Alexander. Find the schedule and links to stream Simchat Torah services here.
Central Synagogue (Reform)
This 2,600-member congregation is one of the largest synagogues in North America. The synagogue streams its services free on its website and on its Facebook page.
Temple Emanu-El (Reform)
Founded in 1845, Emanu-El was New York City’s first Reform congregation. Led by Rabbi Joshua Davidson. Livestream Simchat Torah services here.
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Midwest (Central Daylight Time)
Congregation Temple Israel (Reform)
Congregation Temple Israel in St. Louis, MO, strives to be a holy community through worship that is participatory, joyful, musical, and inter-generational. Simchat Torah services will be streamed live on their website and YouTube page.
Temple Beth-El San Antonio (Reform)
High Holiday services for this historic Texas congregation are broadcast on their website; Shabbat services are also regularly broadcast and archived on the streaming site. Led by Rabbi Mara Nathan, an associate rabbi and a cantor.
Mount Zion Temple (Reform)
Mount Temple is located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Simchat Torah services will be streamed on their website.
Congregation Bene Shalom (Non-Denominational)
Bene Shalom, in Skokie Illinois, was founded in 1948 by deaf Jews. All services are ASL interpreted. The schedule and Zoom links for Simchat Torah services can be found on their website.
West Coast (Pacific Daylight Time)
Ikar (Unaffiliated)
This Los Angeles community led by Rabbi Sharon Brous aims “to reanimate Jewish life, to reengage text and tradition not only so that we find personal meaning and connection, but also to help us decipher what it means to be a human being in the world today.”
Congregation Beth Israel (Reform)
An historic center of Jewish life in San Diego, Congregation Beth Israel offers “a warm welcome and a nurturing home to all who seek a meaningful and enduring connection to Judaism.” Services led by Rabbi Jason Nevarez, Rabbi Cantor Arlene Bernstein, and Rabbi Jeremy Gimbel. They will be streaming services on their YouTube channel.
Congregation Shir Hadash (Reform)
Located in Los Gatos, California, Shir Hadash describes itself as “an evolving, vibrant, growing Reform Jewish congregation dedicated to providing a sense of community for its members as well as opportunities for spiritual growth and developing a strong Jewish identity.” It is led by Rabbi PJ Schwartz and Cantor Devorah Felder-Levy.
Or Hamidbar (Unaffiliated)
Or Hamidbar, located in the California desert, is led by Rabbi David Lazar. Simchat Torah services will be streamed via Facebook Live.
Stephen Wise Temple (Reform)
Located in Los Angeles, CA, Stephen Wise Temple is a community that “makes meaning, and changes the world.” They will be streaming Simchat Torah services via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube.
International
Emanuel Synagogue (Sydney, Australia)
This “dynamic, pluralist Jewish congregation committed to Jewish tradition, creating community and celebrating diversity” will stream Simchat Torah services on their website.
West London Synagogue
This “lively, active, inclusive community of progressive Jews” will stream Simchat Torah services on their website.
