Finding Joy Within the Cracks

In May, I produced an event on MIT’s campus in partnership with students (MITIA) and community members for the Greater Boston Community focused on the idea of Jewish joy. The event was different; it marked a shift from defense to presence, creating an atmosphere of unity and positivity that left a lasting impact on everyone involved. For just a few hours, the noise from the outside world was a hum. From the youngest (3-year-olds) to the oldest, with students of all ages and the broader community singing together, I saw tears—a release of pain for just a moment into tears of joy.

The noun simcha is mentioned in the Torah 94 times and is derived from verb samach, which appears 154 times. Often translated as joy, delight, rejoicing, or pleasure, simcha holds a profound significance. But how does G-d define joy? The first instance of the word simcha is found in Genesis 31, when Jacob, his wives, and his children leave Laban’s house to return home. Jacob leaves suddenly, fearing Laban’s reaction. Upon finding out that they have left, Laban is extremely upset. 

“Why did you flee away secretly and steal away from me, and not tell me? For I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp. And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters…” proclaims Laban.

It is intriguing that the first mention of simcha in the Torah occurs in the context of joy even when one is losing loved ones who may never be seen again. This is simcha.  Joy in the face of loss.

Throughout the Torah, simcha is often intertwined with experiences of exile, death, despair, frustration, and hurt. Despite these adversities, we return stronger, united, and able to find joy.

Joy is what is seen in contrast to sorrow, not in spite of it.

For the past ten months, I have grappled with understanding how we can experience joyful Judaism when the world around us feels like it is on fire and all the cards are against us. How do we balance absorbing the news, defending our right to exist, and finding joy? Can we celebrate our identity, our heritage, stand in unity with one another, and block out the noise? As we continue to mourn the massacre of October 7, fight to bring home the hostages (NOW!), grapple with the ongoing rise of antisemitism and the outright hatred across the globe, we know that leading with and experiencing joyful Judaism is what connects us back to our heritage. Joy is such an essential core value.

A dear friend calls this “finding joy within the cracks”. How do we live in the dumpster fire of our world, find joy, and widen the cracks of opportunities to find and experience joy?

Since October 7, there has been a shift in the Jewish community, perhaps an awakening. A yearning to find and claim Jewish joy in a world that seeks to silence it.

As a child, I found Jewish joy in many moments of my life through USY (Jewish youth movement) and Jewish Camp—these encapsulate Jewish joy. In my adult life, Jewish joy comes in different forms: Shabbat dinners, building community, and seeing Jewish joy through my kids eyes. But that full-bodied Jewish joy felt in my earlier years is something I yearn for now. While I attend rallies and seek moments to bear witness, I crave more moments where I can live loudly, proudly, and unapologetically Jewish.

We must broaden the reach and expand the idea that Jewish joy should be multi-generational. And, it does not mean we become callous or neglectful of the struggles and sensitive situations both abroad and at home. Instead, it means finding the strength to continue finding joy and happiness in our Judaism. Because if we care about our Judaism, then we will continue to fight for it.

While it’s crucial to focus on university campuses, which continue to be hotbeds for the rise of antisemitism, we must also broaden our scope. Today’s high school students will soon be on those same campuses, and it is essential to provide them with a strong foundation of community and connection to Judaism. Grandparents, parents, young adults, and students of all ages – all Jews- need a shared mission—to not bow our heads, but to live loudly and proudly as Jews.

The challenges faced by the Jewish community are not confined to college campuses or Greater Boston. Antisemitism is everywhere. This reality underscores the need for more moments centered around the idea of joy. We must create a large-scale movement focused on resilience and joyful Judaism that is multi-generational for Jews across the continent.

Spreading joyful Judaism across generations provides everyone with a profound sense of belonging and community. This sense of unity is critical, especially in a time when antisemitism and discrimination are rampant. We must have more opportunities for celebration and unity to strengthen our community and ensure our heritage and culture continue to thrive. We cannot be silenced.

Together, we can face any challenge, combat antisemitism, and emerge stronger, more united, and more joyful than ever before.

We will show the world that our spirit is unbreakable and we will widen the cracks of joy.