My First Simchas Torah in Crown Heighs

My first ever trip to Crown Heights, I am filled with excitement. My heart races as my thoughts and prayers begin to align. Each stop draws me closer and closer to the meeting point, the springboard for the night, a synagogue named Chevra Ahavas Yisroel. This synagogue is frequented by singles and young marrieds, inspired types, warm types, sincere types.

It’s the New Year, and truth to be told the past year was a great year, the best year of my life.  This is thanks to the hospitality and and care of my Jewish teachers and guides.  Whilst I find myself far away from my family and our local temple in New Mexico, I have been blessed with a new family on my adopted shores.

How did the journey begin?  I recently heard a quote “When the student is ready, the teacher shows up.” And show up she did in the shape of Malka Werde, the leader of the Chabad group at my college, F.I.T. Malka and her husband Yaakov warmly welcomed me to join them and other students for Shabbat meals. She walked me into the arena of Jewish life here in NY, helping me to stay connected to my roots. In time Malka connected me with Rabbi Dov Oliver and his wife Shevy.

Through Shevy I realized my dream to be able to read Hebrew (see video below). The ancient letters and prayers that had for years been mere shapes and sounds slowly became words and meaning. I was blessed to join eight other students and take the Mayanot Alumni Hebrew reading course, it was a great experience on many levels. Through the fun and enjoyable CAP IT Hebrew reading program I mastered the ancient prayer of Shema, it was so powerful and meaningful for me to read it in English and now even more so in the Hebrew.

Armed with my new Hebrew reading and keen to experience the joy of Simchat Torah I strode into the synagogue, not knowing anyone at all, just looking for Rabbi Dov, my host for the night. Before I could find him I was led to a lavish buffet dinner, a veritable feast of festival delicacies and next came the L’chaims! I found Rabbi Dov and we warmly embraced before continuing with some heart felt L’chaims. He warned me that i’d be putting my Hebrew to good use by reading out one of the verses in front of everyone! With some help from his 8 year old daughter Hadassah and a new friend, Tyler who I had met at the Mayanot Alumni events, I was ready to go.

Only a few short weeks removed from learning how to read Hebrew I stood on a chair in front of a packed room full of Chasidic men and women and prepared to read a verse, but not so easy, the Rabbi interjected and explained that reading the verse would come at a cost – a public commitment to make my way back to Chevra Ahavas Yisroel another time and be called up to the Torah to belatedly receive a proper Jewish name, well who could say no to such an offer? So another L’chaim was had, followed by our passionate reading of the Torah verse.

After dancing and celebrating with the Torah, I was informed we’d be doing a little “Shul hopping”. First to another local Shul and then to the famed and legendary Chabad building, the palace if you will of the Lubavitcher Rebbe – 770 Eastern Parkway. There we would be blessed with the rare opportunity of kissing the Rebbe’s personal Torah scroll.

The other Shul was a beautifully ornate space, with a table piled with fruit and an assortment of sweets in every variety. Then my eyes gazed upon the massive spread of the most delicious food. Stuffed cabbage rolls, herring, salads, crispy nuggets, deli platters, drinks of all types, whiskeys, vodkas and even chicken soup! The menu reflected the crowd; children and adults alike rejoicing in the joy of being Jewish , in the joy of having a Torah and belief in God.

After a final “L’Chaim” and even the good fortune of seeing Malka, we went back to the Shul on Albany Ave and commenced our celebration as we danced with the torah.  We sang songs like “bang…bang, bang bang the rock.” Speaking of the miracles in the wilderness that G-D gave our people, by providing food and drink from the rock through Moses. We were overjoyed, stomping and dancing in a frenetic pitch and as the torah circled through, we felt a closeness with its truth.

The we headed out,  we walked through the streets, full of dancing and singing. It was amazing to see the lively Brooklyn community, looking so young and vibrant.

It was time for the grand finale as we arrived at the legendary location, the famed 770. What a sight even outside , thousands of merry Hassidim, locked in moving embraces their infectious joy and energy like a wave of pride spilling onto the streets. As we waited in line for almost half an hour to kiss the Torah, my excitiment was building and then finally the moment came as I leaned in and kissed the holy scroll of the Rebbe. I closed my eyes and prayed for myself and my loved ones, realizing the magnitude of the moment and then in a flash I was carried away in a sea of Jewish brotherhood like I have never known before. Thousands of people, crammed into a Chassidic mosh pit of sorts, with the Torah’s the super stars of the night. The joy and liberation through the torah are seen by dancing, applause, and a thunderous song. Where a “L’Chaim” is called for to celebrate the Torah and its eternal gifts. With child like eyes I was thankful to experience such a joyous occasion for the first time.

The High Holidays had a deeper significance for me this year. The joy of Rosh Hashanna was more jubilant as I heard the shofar blow. The somber nature of Yom Kippur was more heartfelt as I fasted and prayed all day long. Succot was further realized as I gazed upon Hashem’s glory under  the schach and the stars. Followed by the climatic celebration in Brooklyn of Simchat Torah, a truly epic occasion. One of the other Mayanoters went as far as to say “I enjoyed being Jewish more tonight than I have in my whole life.”

The entire experience made me think about how truly connected we all are, and like a newly made friend at the Shul said “As Jews we have never been strong alone, but together we are a great people.” He added “No oppression has ever taken away our joy, not the Egyptians, The Spanish, or the Nazis.” I felt so welcomed and at peace, what a wonderful lesson to remember as I begin this new year filled with endless possibilities.