Tisha B'Av 5782

Tisha B’Av (the 9th of Av) is the day of mourning for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (both the first and the second), and all that entailed-- physical violence and destruction-- but also the loss of a spiritual home, the sense of being cut off from the Divine, exile, and longing for the past.  As we cope with our own losses, large and small, this year, the themes of Tisha B’Av are particularly resonant, and it seems especially appropriate that the Jewish calendar offers a day for us to feel and honor our grief.  May Tisha B’Av serve as a chance for us to sit with and acknowledge our losses this year, and may the Jewish people’s resilience in the aftermath of the destruction of the Temple inspire us to do what we can to build a better tomorrow.

This Tisha B’Av Beth Shalom is partnering with the Holocaust Center for Humanity and University Unitarian Church on a national multi-faith event around anti-semitism, including an educational film, discussion with the filmmaker, and a national gathering on Zoom that will remind all of us that Jew hatred cannot be ignored or allowed to fester. Tisha B'Av looks at the history of anti-Jewish violence and calls us to realize that our response to it can move the whole world away from hate and towards love. Awareness about anti-semitism has never been more essential.

It is traditional on Tisha B’Av to refrain from eating, drinking, engaging in sexual relations, bathing and wearing leather shoes.  The study of religious texts is limited to those which enhance and reflect the day’s mood such as the books of Lamentations and Job and other texts referring to the destruction of Jerusalem.  Working, using money, driving, and other restrictions applicable to Shabbat and festivals are not applicable to Tisha B’Av.

The Conscience of a City (Educational Film) 
Available from July 31-Aug 14th
"The Conscience of a City" is a Dutch short film that surfaces the story of a small town (Enschede) where a minister took it upon himself and the members of his church to save as many local Jews as they could during the Holocaust. This story was practically untold until just a couple of years ago, when a filmmaker was doing a documentary on the history of the town and uncovered it. The film is slated to be part of a collection at Yad Vashem in the coming years, but it has not been released anywhere as of yet. The film will be available via a youtube link for these 2 weeks. Register here to be sent a link to the film. Visit the film's GoFundMe page to donate to getting the film dubbed in other languages. 

Survivors, Righteous Gentiles, and “The Conscience of a City” Filmmaker
Sunday, August 7 at 12:00pm
View a discussion with three survivors who were hidden during the Shoah, as well as the niece of the minister, and the granddaughter of a non-Jewish family who hid Jews - all from Enschede. The director and writer of the film “The Conscience of a City” are also part of this amazing group. RSVP here to watch together in person in Beth Shalom’s Beit Midrash or check Cybershul for the link to stream from home.

National Tisha B’av Gathering
Sunday, August 7 at 5:00pm
Join communities across the country for a special national Zoom gathering to combat anti-semitism featuring Pastor Kaloma Smith of University AME Zion Church. RSVP here to watch together in person in Beth Shalom’s Beit Midrash or check Cybershul for the link to stream from home.