As many have, I’ve experienced a rollercoaster of emotions these past few weeks. Devastated over our horrific losses. Worried about our family in Israel and the stability of the entire world. Uneasy about our community’s safety. Frustrated about universities’ inadequate response to antisemitism. Proud of our amazing JGO student leaders for stepping up to the plate. Hopeful about the unity and resilience of the Jewish People. It’s confusing, and when people ask me “how are you doing?” I literally sometimes don’t know what to say.

When I looked at my calendar last week, I saw two upcoming weekend events. The first was the bat mitzvah of a close friend’s daughter, and the second was the wedding of another friend’s daughter. With everything going on in the world I was honestly hesitant to attend either. How is it possible for me to dance and celebrate at a time like this?

Our students around North America are being threatened and harassed just because they’re Jewish. Our brothers and sisters in Israel are still reeling from the shock of the massacre and may now be on the verge of a two front war. How could I possibly be happy, let alone dance? 

But after thinking it over, I came to the conclusion that not only could I dance, I must dance.

For centuries, we Jews celebrated our happy occasions and holidays under the shadow of crusades, expulsions, inquisitions, pogroms and Holocausts. We set aside all our trauma and fear and celebrated, almost as an act of resistance. We learned how to dance through our tears while not knowing what tomorrow will bring.

So I went to the bat mitzvah, and saw this amazing young woman who is now taking on the responsibilities of what it means to be a proud Jew. And I danced.

And I went to the wedding, and I saw this beautiful young couple, now taking on the responsibilities of building a Jewish life and home together. And I danced even harder.

We will never let our enemies dictate and limit the simchas, the happy lifecycle events that are the foundation of our Jewish lives and community. Not now, not ever. 

And that’s why this past weekend, I danced.