WEST HARTFORD – The Young Israel of West Hartford hosted its second annual Simchat Torah Community Lecture on Monday, Oct. 21. The lecture, entitled “Never Again Did There Arise In Israel a Prophet Like Moses: Moses’ Death in Rabbinic Imagination,” was delivered by West Hartford resident Shira Elissian, a Jewish Studies PhD candidate at Yale University and member of Young Israel. The lecture was presented as part of the Simchat Torah Together 5780/2019 project, a collaboration between the Orthodox Union Women’s Initiative and 44 different communities across the nation to showcase women scholars-in-residence over the Simchat Torah holiday.

“We are honored to partner with the Orthodox Union for this exciting initiative and proud to be the only synagogue selected in the entire state!” said Rabbi Tuvia Brander, spiritual leader of the Young Israel of West Hartford. “It is so important to us to highlight individuals like Shira as scholars and role models – not only for the women of all ages of our community but for the men of all ages as well.”

“Historically, Simchat Torah has always been about celebrating and strengthening each individual’s unique connection with God, our sacred tradition and Torah,” Brander notes. “At Young Israel, we strive to continue to the work of Simchat Torah throughout the year – working to create those spiritual on-ramps to God, Torah and community each and every day.”