On the morning of Oct. 11 Congregation Or Shalom in Orange held its celebration of Simchat Torah – “Rejoicing with the Torah” – outdoors for the first time. Simchat Torah is the annual worldwide celebration of the completion of the reading of the Torah, the first of the bible’s books. “The reason for moving our celebration outdoors was to make this event possible for a larger number of participants, in this age of pandemic awareness,” Rabbi Alvin Wainhaus said, adding, “Besides, the weather was spectacular!” From left, President Bob Spaulding, Wainhaus and one of the families who attended the celebration. Photo courtesy of Congregation Or Shalom.
