Around 150 people joined this year’s beautiful and moving Movement for Progressive Judaism online Erev Tisha B’Av commemoration organised by Rabbi Alexandra Wright on the theme, ‘O God do not be silent, O humanity do not be silent’.
Combining tradition with contemporary perspectives on destruction, persecution, and silence, following an opening reflection by Rabbi Monique Mayer, the commemoration was structured around the chanting of the five chapters of Eichah, the biblical Book of Lamentations, accompanied by the recitation of a poem between each chapter.
The chapters were chanted by Cantor Rachel Weston, Rabbi Gili Zidkiyahu, Cantor Rebecca Blumenfeld, Rabbi Dr Khazan Barbara Borts and Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton. The poems were recited by Gillian Lazarus (her own ‘Kinah for Erev Tishah B’Av 5786’), Rabbi Nathan Godleman (‘Twigs’ by Taha Muhammad Ali), Rabbi Sybil Sheridan (Poem by Dvora Amir), Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah (their own work, ‘Confronting Silence’) and Rabbi Lisa Barrett (‘Affirm Life’ by Suheir Hammad).
A Roman Triumphal arch panel copy from Beth Hatefutsoth, showing spoils of Jerusalem Temple, which was used as the cover image for the Progressive Judaism Tisha B’Av service booklet