Shalom friends,

Tisha B’Av is considered the saddest day of the year in the Jewish calendar but how many of us actually take the time to note this important date?

The ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av is the date that is the day when both the first and second Temples were destroyed, the first by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.; the second by the Romans in 70 C.E. Other tragedies in Jewish history also occurred on this date. For these reasons, Tisha B’Av has become a day of fasting and mourning, a day to recognize and grieve for the pain caused by all the tragedies in Jewish history.

So why mourn a Temple that has not been in existence for almost 2000 years? How is this day relevant to us today? The Jewish people have returned to Israel and reunited Jerusalem, so do we really still need to grieve for what was lost to the Nation of Israel?

We are living in a time when Israel is under attack. More than three months of daily firebombs sent via kites and balloons from Hamas and Gaza have ruined enormous stretches of land, stolen the livelihood of farmers, broken hearts and burned animals alive. Intermittent barrages of missiles have sent Israelis and their children running to bomb shelters in the middle of the night. Antisemitism is on the rise around the world and yet young Jews in the diaspora seem to be having a crisis in identity. We are seeing more and more young Jews drift away from Judaism and even turn on Israel - through lack of knowledge and true understanding of their heritage and the importance of the past to insure the future.

This is where Tisha B’Av matters. This holy day is not a holiday. It is not a day of celebration or even really a religious date. This is a day for Jews to gather as a Nation and recognize the trauma caused to our people through the loss of the linchpin that held ancient Jewish society together (the Temple), the terrible disconnect of exile from the Land of our forefathers and mothers and all the tragedies that we have endured to remain a Nation.

It is a miracle that the Nation of Israel has endured. We must work every day to ensure that we endure for the next 2000 years.

	I’M NOT RELIGIOUS SO WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT TISHA B’AV Tisha B’Av is the day of mourning for the ancient Jewish Temple. There is no doubting the centrality of the Temple in the heart of Jerusalem to Jewish life and history. At the same time, the Temple was destroyed almost 2000 years ago. Why does Tisha B’Av matter now? Why should a secular Jew care about the Temple? READ MORE
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	8 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE KOTEL AND THE TEMPLE MOUNT There are many misconceptions about the Temple Mount, the Kotel and the Al Aqsa mosque. Confusion and even much conflict can be dispelled when the facts are made clear! READ MORE
	SHABBAT TALKS - TISHA B'AV When Tisha B’Av falls on Shabbat the fast is observed beginning from the end of Shabbat. While Shabbat is set aside for rest and separation from the difficulties of life, it is also an opportunity to increase our spiritual awareness through contemplation of the challenges and tragedies of Jewish history and where we are now in relation to them. This Shabbat we invite you to contemplate the importance of Tisha B’Av. READ MORE
	REVIVING THE JERUSALEM CORNERSTONE TRADITION A look at our Jewish traditions that have been passed down generation to generation. READ MORE

Celebrate your connection to our eternal holy city by bringing a piece of Jerusalem into your home and hearts today!