In observance of Tisha B’Av, a community-wide observance and service will take place on Wednesday, July 26, outdoors at Congregation Beth Shalom. If there is inclement weather, the evening will be held indoors at the synagogue. Outdoor seating will be available, and those who wish may bring blankets to sit on.
There will be schmoozing and singing starting at 8:30 p.m., followed by a Tisha B’Av Ma’ariv service beginning at 8:45 p.m. The observance includes discussion and the chanting of Eicha with English summaries from the Book of Lamentations, which details the destruction of Jerusalem through songs and poems. This is a meaningful service with mournful melodies, teaching and a time for communal reflection on both painful times of our past and hope for our future. Planning this year’s observance are Hazzan Tahl Ben Yehuda, Rabbi Larry Karol and Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick.
The community Tisha B’Av observance will continue on Thursday, July 27, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Kehilath Israel Synagogue. The movie “City of Joel,” a documentary that follows an ultra-orthodox Hasidic sect as they wage a turf war with their secular neighbors 50 miles north of New York City, will be shown.
A panel of rabbis from across denominations will then discuss the movie. Panelists include Rabbis Mark Glass, Beryl Padorr and Rachel Rothstein, with moderation by Rabbi Moshe Grussgott.
A Mincha service will begin at 8 p.m. led by Rabbi Grussgott and will be followed by a ten-minute Torah lesson and ending with a Ma’ariv service. The conclusion of the fast will take place at 9:09 pm and will be followed by a light breaking-of-the-fast meal. Rabbi Grussgott is serving as the rabbinic coordinator for this program.
To indicate attendance at both observances, those interested must register online by Tuesday, July 25 at forms.gle/3GPxvkboM9d1guoS9 or visit kcrabbi.org, where the registration link will also be posted.
For more information, those interested can visit kcrabbi.org or contact Annette Fish, Rabbinical Association administrator/program director, at or (913) 327-8226.
