A Week to Remember

A week to remember indeed!
Every Jew around the world shed tears of joy as we watched our precious hostages embrace their families back home on Israeli soil. The anxious veil of darkness that had hung over our people for so long was suddenly lifted, revealing the radiant light of the Jewish soul, shining once more in full brilliance.
It was as if Hashem Himself breathed hope back into Am Yisroel. A new energy pulsed through us this Simchat Torah, not just to dance, but to soar.
And soar we did!
Over 1,500 people filled our Shule on Simchat Torah night – singing, embracing, weeping tears of joy, and dancing with a fervour I have never experienced before. It was the culmination of 738 long days of prayer, faith, and heartbreak – and finally, at last, the moment when our prayers were answered.
It was the Simchat Torah we had dreamed of since that dark day in 2023 – a night when we could finally say, with full hearts and shining eyes:
זֶה הַיּוֹם עָשָׂה ה’, נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בוֹ
“This is the day that Hashem has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Indeed we did!
Our Central family celebrated well into the night. We turned our pain into power, our tears into joy. We dedicated each of the 7 Hakafot and danced for Hashem, for the IDF, for the wounded, the survivors, the hostages – and for all of you, Am Yisroel.
But we also danced for the Righteous Among the Nations – for the many non-Jews across the world who stood with us and stood for truth amid the rising tide of hatred. Some offered quiet, steadfast support, while others shouted courageously from the rooftops. One such brave voice is Erin Molan, who joined us in Shule and received a well-deserved standing ovation.
Our visiting choir from Israel, Kolot Min Hashamaim, was magnificent – thank you for lifting our spirits once again. Our entire Central team pulled off yet another unforgettable chag, and we owe them immense gratitude for their tireless dedication throughout the High Holidays.
But the real stars of the show were you – those who came, sang, danced, and waved their flags with an energy and spirit that was absolutely electric.
May we hold on to this light, this faith, and this unity – and let it carry us forward into every week to come.
Let us continue to stand loud and proud, declaring to the world:
בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר עוֹמְדִים עָלֵינוּ לְכַלּוֹתֵנוּ, וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַצִּילֵנוּ מִיָּדָם.
They may try to destroy us, but Hashem saves us from their hands.
Here we are – Am Yisroel Chai!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Levi and Chanie Wolff