Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are Jewish holidays observed worldwide, with Shemini Atzeret celebrated on the 22nd day of Tishrei, which usually falls in late September or early October, and Simchat Torah celebrated a day later outside Israel. Shemini Atzeret, meaning "Eighth [day] Assembly," follows the seven-day festival of Sukkot and is recognized as a separate holiday. Simchat Torah, translating to "rejoicing of Torah," marks the completion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings. On this day, congregations read the final parashah from Deuteronomy and the first from Genesis. A notable custom involves removing Torah scrolls from the ark and parading them around the synagogue in seven circuits, known as hakafot, accompanied by singing and dancing, which can last for hours. In Orthodox synagogues, men and women participate in separate dancing circles.