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Ben Vorspan
Nonprofit Creativity Writer, Speaker & Consultant

The Spirit of Celebration: Lessons from Simchat Torah and the World Series

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As the Dodgers and Yankees prepare to face off in the World Series, fans across the nation are gearing up for a thrilling, high-stakes showdown. Baseball’s biggest event brings with it a sense of anticipation, camaraderie, and a bit of friendly rivalry. But this year, the excitement of the World Series overlaps with another celebration, one that might not involve home runs or fastballs, but shares a surprising number of parallels: Simchat Torah.

Simchat Torah marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of Torah readings and the immediate beginning of a new cycle. It’s a time of joy, dance, and community, where people come together to celebrate continuity, tradition, and the joy of starting anew. In this overlap, there is something deeper to explore — a shared spirit that underscores both events and tells us something about the universal need for connection, tradition, and renewal.

A Celebration of Continuity and Renewal

At first glance, the World Series and Simchat Torah might seem worlds apart. One is the culmination of months of athletic competition, and the other, a religious celebration marking the completion of reading the Torah. But dig a little deeper, and you find a common thread: both are about honoring the past while looking forward to the future.

For baseball fans, the World Series is not just the end of a season; it’s a moment that bridges past achievements with the promise of next year. Fans revel in the victories and defeats that have brought them to this point, but there’s always the hope of what’s to come. It’s a cycle — a ritual of sorts — that brings fans back, year after year, to witness the ebb and flow of their team’s journey.

Simchat Torah embodies a similar spirit. As Jews across the world finish reading the last verses of Deuteronomy, they don’t simply close the book and put it away. Instead, the scroll is rewound, and the first verses of Genesis are read immediately, signifying that the cycle never truly ends. The celebration, the dancing, and the songs all reflect a joy not only in what has been achieved, but in the knowledge that the journey will begin anew. Like the World Series, it’s a celebration of continuity and renewal, honoring tradition while embracing what lies ahead.

The Rituals That Ground Us

Both baseball and Simchat Torah are steeped in ritual. In the World Series, fans follow a kind of liturgy — from the pre-game tailgates to the National Anthem, to the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” It’s a series of small but significant acts that build a sense of belonging and shared experience. Fans wear their team’s colors, carry superstitions, and chant familiar cheers, creating a communal identity that transcends the game itself.

Simchat Torah, too, is a time when ritual takes center stage. Communities come together to sing, dance, and parade the Torah scrolls around the synagogue, engaging in a joyful procession known as hakafot. These acts are not merely symbolic; they’re participatory, inviting everyone — from the youngest child to the oldest member — to take part in the celebration. The ritual of circling with the Torah is as much about community as it is about the text itself. It’s a way of saying, “We are all in this together.”  And following the horrific events of October 7, saying “We will dance again.”

This focus on ritual — whether in a stadium or a synagogue — speaks to a universal need to feel part of something greater. It’s not just about watching a game or reading from a scroll; it’s about participating in a shared experience that reinforces community bonds.

Tradition and Innovation: A Delicate Balance

Both the World Series and Simchat Torah also highlight the delicate balance between tradition and innovation. Baseball, often seen as a game of timeless traditions, has had to adapt over the years. The addition of new rules, technology, and strategies reflects a sport that honors its history but is unafraid to evolve. This year, with the Dodgers and Yankees — two teams rich in baseball lore — facing off, there’s a sense of the past colliding with the present, a reminder that even the most storied franchises must innovate to stay competitive.

Simchat Torah offers a parallel. Jewish tradition is deeply rooted, with rituals passed down through generations. Yet, every year, communities find new ways to bring those rituals to life, whether through creative programming, music, or community engagement. The essence remains unchanged, but the expression evolves. This balance of holding on to what is sacred while welcoming new ways of engagement is what keeps traditions vibrant and relevant.

The Power of Storytelling

At the heart of both events is storytelling. The World Series isn’t just a baseball tournament; it’s a culmination of countless narratives. It’s the story of a season’s highs and lows, of individual triumphs and collective struggles, of a team’s journey to the pinnacle of success. Fans follow these stories closely, investing in the players, the drama, and the hope that their team’s story will have a happy ending. This storytelling aspect is what turns a game into something much more meaningful, creating legends that endure long after the final out.

Simchat Torah is also about stories — the stories of our ancestors, of faith, of resilience. As communities complete the annual cycle of reading the Torah, they are reminded of the narrative arc that has defined Jewish identity for millennia. And by beginning again, they acknowledge that this is a story that never ends. It’s a powerful reminder that every ending is also a beginning, and that the stories we tell — whether through scripture or sport — are what connect us, inspire us, and keep us coming back.

Connection Through Celebration

Ultimately, what ties the World Series and Simchat Torah together is the sense of connection they foster. Both bring people together, encouraging them to share in something larger than themselves. Whether it’s the roar of a crowd at Dodger Stadium, the chants echoing through Yankee Stadium, or the songs and laughter filling a synagogue on Simchat Torah, these moments remind us of the joy of being part of a community.

In a world that often feels disconnected, these celebrations of continuity, ritual, and storytelling offer a chance to reconnect — with tradition, with others, and with ourselves. They show us that no matter how different our lives may seem, we all crave moments of joy, unity, and shared purpose.

Rooting for Tradition and Renewal

As the Dodgers and Yankees take the field this week, and as Jewish communities gather to dance with the Torah, let’s celebrate the spirit that unites these two very different events. Both are about honoring what has come before while looking forward to what’s next. Both remind us of the importance of community, of the stories that shape us, and of the joy that comes from shared experiences.

So, whether you find yourself waving a pennant at the ballpark or a flag in the synagogue, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of continuity and renewal. After all, every ending is just a new beginning, and there’s always a new season — or a new Torah reading — waiting just around the corner.

About the Author
Ben Vorspan is the author of The Nonprofit Imagineers and has held positions at many prominent Jewish nonprofit organizations including Hebrew Union College, The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, Hebrew at the Center, and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
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