Simchah: Beyond Celebration

By Jessica Goldfarb, JFGC Communications Specialist

In Hebrew, several common words and phrases carry profound meaning for Judaism, for Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, and for our community, encapsulating the values that shape the essence of Jewish life. Whether you are familiar with these words and phrases or have never heard them, their significance within the context of our community is worth exploring further.

While commonly used to describe a festive occasion such as a wedding, bar mitzvah, or holiday, the Hebrew word simchah ( הָחְָמְׂשִׂ) translates to “joy.” In Jewish life, simchah is both a feeling and a value — something to be embraced in times of celebration and carried through moments of challenge. For Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, simcha is intentionally cultivated as a core value, serving as a reminder that joy has the power to unite us, sustain us, and move us forward.

We see simchah come to life during community events like Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations, where Israeli music, food, and dancing bring people of all ages together in honor of Israel’s independence. It’s also present in the smaller, everyday gatherings that shape Jewish life. Programs such as PJ Library story times, Shabbat Shaboom, and Board Game Café create joyful, multigenerational experiences that nurture Jewish identity and create lasting memories.

Simchah reminds us that celebration and joy are not separate from our purpose—they are a part of it. A thriving Jewish community isn’t just one that responds in times of crisis; it is also one that dances, sings, and celebrates together. At its core, Federation’s mission is driven not only by duty and compassion, but by a belief that joy strengthens us.

In celebrating simchah, we celebrate the spirit of our people — and all that we continue to build together. To embrace simchah is to affirm life, to declare that amidst all of life’s challenges, we choose hope, gratitude, and connection. It is through simchah that we find strength in each other, in our heritage, and in the shared vision of a vibrant Jewish future.