The Jewish community will hold services and observe Tisha B’Av on Aug. 12 and 13.
Tisha B’Av is a Jewish fast day to remember the destruction of the First and Second Temples of Jerusalem and other major disasters and tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people.
Observances will be held at Congregation Beth Shalom (14200 Lamar Ave., Overland Park, KS 66223) on the evening of Monday, Aug. 12; and at Kehilath Israel Synagogue (10501 Conser, Overland Park, KS 66212) on the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 13.
The Ma’ariv service at Beth Shalom will begin at 8:30 p.m. after 15 minutes of mingling and singing. The observance will include interactive learning and discussion and the chanting of Eicha (with English summaries) from the Book of Lamentations, which details the destruction of Jerusalem through song and poems. Planning this year’s observance are Hazzan Tahl Ben-Yehuda and Rabbi Larry Karol.
The following day, K.I. will show the movie “Golda” at 5:30 p.m. and host a post-screening panel discussion with clergy from the Rabbinical Association. The movie follows Golda Meir, the fourth prime minister of Israel, and the responsibilities and decisions she faced during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. An interdenominational panel of rabbis will then discuss the resonance of the film today after Oct. 7 and discuss how our respective communities have grappled with the wake of Oct. 7 this year.
Mincha services will follow at 8 p.m., led by Rabbi Grussgott. The community observances will end with a 10-minute Torah lesson and the Ma’ariv service. A light break-fast will be served upon the conclusion of Tisha B’Av at 8:40 p.m. Rabbi Grussgott is serving as the rabbinic coordinator for this program.
Attendees are asked to register for the observances by Aug. 9 at https://forms.gle/VjUWcL5dpSXKQCrY6 or kcrabbi.org, where registration a link will also be posted.
More information is available by visiting kcrabbi.org or contacting Rabbinical Association Administrator and Program Director Annette Fish at or (913) 327-8226.
