How might we describe our feeling of being proud, of being spiritually replenished and filled because our Judaism is a source of nourishment? What words capture the feeling when we leave a meaningful life cycle ritual and know that we are connected to people who have carried on our traditions for millenia? What’s the word for fully-formed Jewish summer camp songs that pour out of nowhere and suddenly we feel part of the same tribe? What counterbalances the shame of antisemitism?

It’s Jewish Joy.

This year, the most difficult question to answer has been, “How are you?” We often simply connect with “fine, how are you?” but reality for many of us has felt far from fine and connections far from simple. What underlies this casual interaction is the fact that many usual relationships have become fraught and heavy. Not only the world post October 7th, but largely because what has emerged is a new wave of permeating fear and antisemitism.