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.
A meditation for Tisha B’ Av and Shabbat Nakhamu, the Sabbath of Comfort
Prayers and kavannot for those who should not fast
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).
Honoring modern-day “Esthers” who raise awareness of injustice and mobilize for action
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
Mourning the deterioration of natural resources
A summary of facts, characters, and holidays related to the month of Av
A yearly, ongoing, conceptual art project
Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement
Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis
Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues
Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives
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