Tisha B’Av Community Event

On Tisha B’Av – the 9th of Av – the ancient temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and, with it, our ancestors were sent into galut [exile]. On the 9th of Av we experienced a tear in the fabric of our Peoplehood. Our ancestors became homeless, thrown into a hostile world without protection. 

Today, we feel the echoes of that tearing, as we wake up each day to a world that feels shattered. We know that, just like our ancestors, today there are so many who are being thrust into physical and spiritual galut. We may even be experiencing spiritual exiles ourselves.

In this awareness, we invite you to join Reconstructionist congregations Beit Tikvah, Columbia Jewish Congregation, Kol HaLev, Mishkan Torah, and Oseh Shalom on the evening of Saturday, August 6th from 8:30-10:30pm at Oakland Mills Interfaith Center in Columbia, MD for the community observance of Tisha B’Av.

We will gather to be in the brokenness with one another – to grow in awareness of our personal and communal grief and to hold that grief together. We will pray, chant Eicha, journal, share out and bear witness as we mourn. 

**This is a hybrid gathering. If you will be joining us virtually, here are some supplies and guidelines for creating an immersive and sacred space in your home:

SUPPLIES: 

• Siddur (to be used during our Ma’ariv service)
• Pencil and paper
• Candles – tea lights and/or a yahrzeit candle
• Dimmed lights (if possible and safe)
• Printed copy of David Seidenberg’s translation of Eicha: https://kolaleph.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/eikhah-laments-2008_p.pdf

GUIDELINES: 

• Create a space for yourself in which you feel comfortable and held – if you are able, consider sitting on the floor – to follow traditional mourning practices. To help provide the sense of being held by the community, also consider wrapping yourself in a blanket. 
• If you are able, use candles as a way of creating a more immersive space. We will be lighting candles together at the beginning of our service. Lighting a Yahrzeit/memorial candle is a traditional way to tap into memory and grief. 
• Make sure you take care of yourself – tapping out for a few minutes if and when you need a break. 

COVID protocols:
We ask that all in attendance are masked for the entirety of the program. If you are experiencing Covid symptoms we ask that you please join us virtually.