02/10/2026
These beautiful centrepieces were created for a Bar Mitzvah that took place in Jerusalem on Simchat Torah three years ago — on that fateful day, October 7th.
Little did any of us know when I posted these flowers on October 6th, Erev Simchat Torah to wish everyone a חג שמח, what we would wake up to on the following morning.
Three years have passed, and as we enter Simchat Torah once again, our hearts and minds cannot help but return to the trauma of that day and the war that followed.
We remember the images of the young people running for their lives at Nova, the scenes from Sderot and the kibbutzim, the kidnappings, the fear and anguish for our hostages — but also the incredible miracles and stories of heroism, of people risking their lives to save others.
We remember the longing for our hostages to come home, and the extraordinary joy of seeing the remaining 20 living hostages released just before Simchat Torah last year.
And we enter this Chag knowing that the pain has also been accompanied by a painful rise in antisemitism around the world.
We live in incredibly complex times — where unimaginable pain exists alongside extraordinary courage, kindness and resilience. Every day, ordinary Israelis continue to show extraordinary strength.
As we enter Simchat Torah this year, my heart is with everyone who lost loved ones on that terrible day, and with all those whose lives have been forever changed.
I am also filled with gratitude to be living here and to be part of עם ישראל — a people who, despite everything we have endured, will continue to choose life, hope, community and joy.
So I am sharing these colourful flowers once again, as a small reminder of beauty and happiness, and to wish you all a חג שמח ושבת שלום. 💐
May there be brighter days ahead, and may we continue to find happiness through flowers.
