With the COVID-19 pandemic making a traditional Simchat Torah celebration impossible, Congregation Adath Israel in Elizabeth/Hillside, New Jersey, found a creative way to bring the simcha to the community’s children. This past Friday, on Hoshana Rabba, the shul hosted a pre-Simchat Torah “Drive-Through Celebration” in the parking lot of the Bruriah school of the Jewish Educational Center.�

With music blasting from the live DJ and balloons lining the route, the festive atmosphere was set from the moment the cars entered the lot. Accompanied by socially distanced and masked volunteers dancing, each family picked up Simchat Torah flags and custom bags of candy and treats for every child.

Before exiting the lot, each family was given a gift from the shul of a brand new sefer with insights on the weekly parsha. The sefer included an inscription encouraging families to use the volume to enrich their study and love of Torah throughout the year. Congregation Adath Israel thanks the many sponsors and volunteers who made the event possible.

By Steven Rosen

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