SIMCHAT TORAH
The Simchat Torah festivities begin with the evening service. All the synagogue's Torah scrolls are removed from the ark and are carried around the sanctuary in a series of seven hakafot (circuits). Although each hakafa need only encompass one circuit around the synagogue, the dancing and singing with the Torah often continues much longer, and may overflow from the synagogue onto the streets. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated on the same day. Reform congregations, even not in Israel, may do likewise. Many communities in Israel have Hakafot Shniyot (Second Hakafot) on the evening following the holiday, which is the same day as Simchat Torah evening in the diaspora, as an expression of solidarity with Jewish communitiesin the diaspora. The custom was started by the former Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, Yedidia Frankel. In Orthodox synagogues, the dancing is mainly carried out by men and boys; very young girls may also be sent in to dance on their fathers' shoulders. Women and older girls often have their own dancing circles, or look on from the other side of a mechitza (partition) in accordance with the rules of tzniut (modesty). In Conservative and Progressive congregations, men and women dance together. In some congregations, the Torah scrolls are carried out into the streets and the dancing may continue far into the evening.