FEATURED JOBS
As I write, the Jewish world (or at least the more traditional, observant part of it) is preparing to commemorate Tisha B’Av. It is not a holiday (as an Israeli shop keeper once lectured me when I asked him if he was closing early for the “chag”). Rather, it is a commemoration – somewhat of a committee decision to remember many of the greatest tragedies of the Jewish people. The truth is that historically many of these events did not exactly occur on the Ninth Day of Av. Yet they did occur on and around there. Never mind, the centuries blur such distinctions, which really is not problematic at all when creating national memory.
The real issue, however, is that the vast majority of Jews today do not commemorate Tisha B’Av. In fact, many have never even heard of it. (I, despite being from a very solid American Jewish family, was one of them until I was first in Israel at age 19). After all, it both takes place in the middle of the summer when Hebrew school isn’t in session and is Jewishly nationalistic in nature, which is not something many American Jews spend a lot of time on.
That’s why it should be changed. Tisha B’Av as presented is about gloom and doom, death and destruction. That is all very real and very painful for many people. But for others it seems irrelevant in an era that demands a driven optimism and a media-drive culture of the moment.
You can lament that – which would be fitting on such a day – but we should also try to do something about it.
That’s why I believe that Tisha B’Av should be reinvented/repackaged by Jewish educators as a Jewish History Day. That would help keep it religious in nature for observant Jews AND make it more palatable to other Diaspora Jews.
Again, so as not to insult, I’m mainly talking about the non-traditional types here. In Orthodoxy in particular this commemoration is quite serious indeed. Likewise, some of the hardcore in the Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist camps do observe the occurrence. However, we have to admit that outside of Orthodox the percentage of those observing is very low indeed.
What should Jews of all flavors be encouraged to do on Tisha B’av, particularly if they skip the traditional mourning modes of prayer, fasting and introspection?
• Watch a Jewish history film with the film about the Holocaust, Israel or something else. Holocaust films abound. I have to recommend the “Jazz Singer” – the Danny Kay version please (all due respect to Al Jolson and Neil Diamond). Then there’s “Munich,” which presents real ethical conundrums about Jewish power. Meanwhile, “Crossing Delancy Street” helps us remember the remnant of New York City’s Lower East side. There are just so many more great choices.
• Read a book about Jewish history. I am currently rereading Elie Wiesel’s “Beggar In Jerusalem.” Its writing is profound and provides a stirring weave through modern Jewish history. Find your own good read; it’s truly not hard.
• Invite some friends over and talk about what you admire most about a figure in Jewish history – whether it be Moses or Stephen Spielberg or Golda Meir.
• Listen to some klezmer music and reflect on a world gone by; let that evocative music penetrate your soul while you think about your ancestors. (If you are Sephardi, do the same with Ladino music).
• Sign up for an upcoming Jewish lecture or class at your area synagogue, the Baltimore Hebrew Institute ( http://www.towson.edu/bhi ) or elsewhere.
Mostly, think about being Jewish, what the label means and what you would like it to mean for your children and grandchildren. Then figure out how to dedicate or rededicate yourself anew to making that happen.
May you have a meaningful Tisha B’Av.
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