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.
Those wishing to participate in the Tisha B’Av community observances must register by Tuesday, July 25, at https://forms.gle/3GPxvkboM9d1guoS9 or kcrabbi.org, where the registration link will also be posted.
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. Participating in the observance are Hazzan Tahl Ben Yehuda, Rabbi David Glickman, Rabbi Larry Karol, Rabbi Caitlin Brazner, Rabbi Beryl Padorr and Rabbi Moti Rieber.
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 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.
For more information, those interested can visit kcrabbi.org or contact Annette Fish, Rabbinical Association administrator/program director, at or (913) 327-8226.
