Tonight we’re going to sing and dance and celebrate being Jewish - things we don’t do often enough. Simchat Torah is the perfect time to show our joy. So… let the dancing begin!”

All the Torahs in the ark were taken out. People took turns carrying them up and down the aisles and in the open space at the back of the synagogue. Ilana and her friends made a circle and danced the hora around the Torahs.

“David,” Ilana called out. “We need you.”

David looked around. People were bunched together in little groups, talking. Besides Ilana’s friends, few others were dancing. “No way,” he hung back.

“Come outside with me, David,” Mom said, taking his hand.

David sat down cross-legged in the hallway. “You’re not going to force me to dance, are you?” He folded his arms.

“People are a little nervous about dancing in synagogue,” Mom said. “I remember the first time I came to a Simchat Torah celebration I didn’t want to dance either. I thought synagogue was just for praying and studying.”

“How did you change your mind?” David asked.

“I realized that singing and dancing are ways of expressing our deepest feelings about being Jewish. They show that nothing can get us down.”

“When you’re sad sometimes I sing ‘Skidamarink adink adoo I love you,’ and you cheer up right away,” David asked.

“That’s right,” Mom said. “Music helps us overcome sadness. Singing and dancing and celebrating have helped keep Judaism alive.”

“Judaism can die?” David asked, wide-eyed.

“What’s your favorite flower in our garden?” Mom asked.

:Definitely the daffodils at springtime. Now that it’s fall I like pumpkins and those flowers that are named for you.”

“You mean chrysanthemums?” Mom laughed and tousled David’s hair. :Suppose we didn’t water them and care for them. Suppose the sun didn’t shine on them. What would happen to them?”

“They would die,” David replied.

“Judaism is like those flowers, Mom said. “If we don’t care for it and water it with our joy, it can also die.”

“But the flowers die after a while anyway,” David said.

“That’s where Judaism differs from a plant. If we care for it by praying, singing, and dancing, it will always live.” Mom listened to the singing. “They’re playing your song, David,” she said.

David sang along. “David, melekh yisra’el, chai, chai vekayam.” He loved the song about David, the king of Israel who would live forever. Suddenly he stopped. “Look, Mom, Rabbi Aaron is dancing with Avi on his shoulders. Can I go on your shoulders?”

“Hop on!” Mom bent down and David climbed on. They joined the circle and began to dance.  Other parents hoisted their children on their shoulders and the circle grew bigger. They danced and laughed and sang. David felt as proud as a king.