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Tisha B’Av & Minor Fast Days

A single lit candle glowing softly in a dark room.

During the hottest time of the summer, when the land of Israel is parched and dry, we pause for the holiday of Tisha B’Av. It commemorates the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem and provides the opportunity to mourn for the suffering of our people and suffering throughout the world. Other minor fast days remind us of additional events from our shared history, and provide opportunities for reflection in our hectic lives.

Latest Rituals

Including eggs in your seder meal to remind us of the circle of life, and that endings often mark beginnings

close up of two eggs on a flat surface

A prayer for the well-being of the people of East Africa, and for the wisdom and strength to respond effectively to both the short- and long-term challenges they face

a picture of dried ground from a drought

Reflecting upon the relationship between Israel and the diaspora

two barren trees with lots of branches stand side by side

A meditation for Tisha B’ Av and Shabbat Nakhamu, the Sabbath of Comfort

sun peeks through the light green leaves of a canopy of trees

Prayers and kavannot for those who should not fast

A person is holding a spoon above a bowl of noodle soup on a white table.

Esther fasted and asked all the people to join her in her fast before she approached the king. Norma Josephs suggest we use Esther’s fast as an opportunity to collectively protest the injustice done to women unable to obtain a Jewish divorce (get).

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Honoring modern-day “Esthers” who raise awareness of injustice and mobilize for action

A group of people engaged in conversation at an indoor event, with one person holding food.

A ritual that presents the Book of Lamentations as a play with a cast of characters using the original text of Lamentations as the script

a house is on fire and burning against a dark background

Mourning the deterioration of natural resources

A girl sitting on a large tree branch, surrounded by a foggy forest landscape.

A summary of facts, characters, and holidays related to the month of Av

close-up of a male lion in a field

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