We Are Vulnerable
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On October 7th, Lievnath shared her thoughts about how we mourn and grieve in a way that embraces the lives of Israelis and Palestinians. She connected it to Sukkot and its final celebration Simchat Torah. She wrote:
We are vulnerable. A wind could come by and blow us over, the sukkah reminds us. We need to see the stars to feel we are part of something bigger. And we must invite in the stranger, who shares in our vulnerability. We are the same. Next week I will be dancing in the Uilenbugersjoel, dancing through the trauma, through the fear, into vulnerability and gratitude. And these days, I will try to hold multidirectional pain and the knowing that we are all one close to my heart. goodnight, and a big hug on this difficult day.
I imagine that in Biblical times, Sukkot was like a music festival. Everyone had worked so hard bringing in the harvest and now they had 8 days to celebrate. In fact, it is a mitzvah to celebrate during this time. Moreover, the sages tell us that this mitzvah applied even to those who were grieving. The rules (halacha) of mourning need to be set aside in favor of the mitzvah to rejoice as a community. It doesn’t tell us that we cannot feel grief, just that we can’t engage in the rules of mourning until the holiday is over. (Moed Katan 14b.9)
So, we celebrate.
We shared our first Yom Kippur together with a meaningful day of connection, prayer, and the essential ritual of chatting outside the shul. Rosh Hashana was marked with delicious vegan food from the amazing Peach Plant Based Kitchen, singing, and ritual. And we built a Sukkah!
And we’re not done yet! On Oct 12, we’ll meet for a sing-along and sound meditation led by our very own Maia Steinberg. She is a singer, composer, sound healer, interdisciplinary maker and community artist from Uruguay, living in the Netherlands. Some of you may have met her at Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur.
For those of you who find joy in intellectual discussion, there is a Deviant Yeshiva discussion this Sunday in The Hague. It’s not too late to sign up.
The very next day, on the 13th, we will celebrate Simchat Torah with ecstatic dance at Uilenburgersjoel.
All this shows that Oy Vey takes the mitzvah of community joy seriously. In fact, go ahead and save the date for 
Chanoeka on the Rocks, December 20th at 19.00. It’s currently being planned by Kimberly who hosted the legendary Marvelous Mrs. Maisel themed Passover Seder last year.
From our community
Messianism and Social Change: A philosophical approach
Join our resident philosopher, Yoni Busquila Listik, for a Crescas course on Jewish philosophy: Messianism and Social Change
DATES: January14, 21, 28.
TIME: 19.00 – 20.30
You can attend in person in-person in Amsterdam or online.
For those of you lucky enough to be under 40, there is a 50% discount on the cost of the course.
Find out more: https://www.crescas.nl/cursussen/2dz/Messianism-and-Social-Change