Hundreds join to celebrate Joyous Holiday.
For the first time ever, People came together to celebrate the holiday of Simchas Torah. Simchas Torah is a Jewish Holiday celebrating the conclusion and starting from the beginning of the cycle of weekly Torah (the Bible) readings. This holiday comes at the conclusion of the 8-day Sukkos holiday when Jews eat in outdoor huts. Which followed the High Holidays – Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – the New Year.
It is celebrated worldwide with dancing with the Torah scrolls and joyous celebrations for the adults and children.
On Monday evening at 6:30pm locals - from Mansfield, Easton, Foxboro, Attleboro, Norton, Taunton, North Attleboro and more - gathered in the Mansfield VFW for delicious food, traditional flags for the children and much joyous dancing.
When Chabad first debuted in Mansfield area for Free High Holiday services – it was in the Rabbis home and a total of 17 people attended. This year, in its seventh season, the Ballroom in the Holiday Inn hotel had an overflow crowd of more than 200! People are feeling part a growing community.
“After such success, growing year to year for the – more contemplative and serious - High Holidays, Tzivi Kivman, the co-director of the Chabad Jewish Community Center, felt “it was time to show people the fun and Joy in Judaism.”
Children were hoisted on parents shoulders, the elderly and young locked hands as everyone danced in large circles as Yossi Kivman, Rabbi and co-Director of the Chabad Jewish Center led the dancing with the actual Torah scroll.
“it was heartwarming to see People of all ages and backgrounds – some for their first time ever, some for the first in many years – welcome each other into one beautiful dance” Said Dan Goodman of Easton, “If you haven’t yet gotten a taste of the many programs, events and learning series Chabad offers, the right time is now.”
“Part of the beauty is, you don’t have to belong to enjoy what Chabad offers.” Jen Shulman of Mansfield said, “we belonged to a Temple for years, and participating in the Chabad enhances our religious and cultural experience.”
“My friends and I have never belonged to any temples locally” added Bruce Weinstein of North Attleboro “the Chabad community makes you feel like family.”
For more information about the upcoming Classes “the Kabbalah of YOU” as well as Chanukah events in the area go to www.JewishMansfield.com or call 508-339-8767
