Raise Your Flag.Claim Your Joy.

Based on the centuries-old tradition of waving joyous flags to celebrate the start of the new Torah cycle, we invite you to celebrate Simchat Torah with flags designed by eight inspiring Jewish artists.

A Simchat Torah banner from the 1950s depicting Israeli children. From the National Library of Israel Collections.

Simchat Torah is all about Jewish Joy. For generations, Jews around the world have found creative ways to bring their love of the Torah into the holiday festivities. Dancing. Singing. Raising the Torah high. And...waving flags.

Flags have been with us since the beginning, rooted in the Torah, with the Twelve Tribes of Israel gathering in the desert beneath their own distinct banner, or flag. The tradition of waving flags on Simchat Torah started in the 16th century, with clever Eastern European communities using flags as a way to include their youngest family members in the holiday fun.

Today, you can find Simchat Torah flags in Jewish communities around the world. Their flags are not just religious symbols - they’re cultural expressions of where they come from, whether ultra-orthodox communities, secular Israeli kibbutzim, or the creative mind of a young child sticking apples atop their flagpoles or creating paper-flaps to mimic holy arks.

This year, the Simchat Torah Challenge is bringing these joyous flags to all our participants! We’ve collaborated with eight contemporary Jewish artists for modern takes on this historical tradition, and are challenging you to make your own flag for our namesake holiday.

As we celebrate the completion of one annual Torah-reading cycle only to go right back to the beginning, we’re tapping into the essence of Simchat Torah. Because if our tradition has taught us anything, it’s this: Joy is serious business.

A flag from the 1960s.
From theNational Library of Israel Collections.

We at the Simchat Torah Challenge were inspired by this historical tradition, and wanted to bring it to our participants for this holiday season. So now, for Simchat Torah, you can get in on the fun! Here’s how:

Contemporary Jewish Artist Flags

First, we asked eight contemporary Jewish artists to make modern takes on this historic holiday tradition. Browse their flags below!

Make Your Own Flag

Next, sign up to Simchat Torah Challenge to receive our printable collection with all eight artist’s flags, both in full color and coloring book form. Customize a flag for yourself–or all eight!

Share Your Flag

Finally, don’t miss our Simchat Torah Challenge community flags, with participants from all around the world joining in on the holiday fun. If you’re feeling inspired, add your own!

Contemporary ArtistSimchat Torah Flags

We proudly present eight bold takes on Simchat Torah flags, created by inspiring Jewish artists from around the world. Be inspired, feel their joy, and then download them below and customize them to make them your own!

YOU GAVE ME EVERYTHING EXCEPT A COMPASS!

Make Your Own Simchat Torah Flag

See a flag that inspires you? Sign up to the Simchat Torah Challenge below to receive the printable collection with all eight artist’s flags in full color and coloring book form.