At the conclusion of the first Shabbat of second session, Eisner Camp simultaneously invited the new week and commemorated Tisha B’Av during an all-camp Havdalah service. Tisha B’Av marks the day on which several tragedies have fallen on the Jewish people throughout their years, including the destruction of both ancient Temples in Jerusalem. Traditionally, it is a day of fasting and remembrance.
All of camp came together Saturday night for this occasion, which was led by some of Eisner’s songleaders, including Jacob Kraus, Stephen Brickman, and Sara Weiss. Additionally, some special time was set aside for Tisha B’Av traditions. One such tradition is chanting from the Book of Lamentations, done by Faculty member Cantor Claire Franco of The Community Synagogue of Port Washington. The verse, though carrying sorrowful words, had an uplifting melody, mirroring the separation between the events in the past that we must commemorate and the hope that the future holds.
Greg Weitzman, Eisner’s Limud Director, shared lessons that we as Jews and as human beings can take from the historical events of Tisha B’Av. After explaining that such events were caused by sinat chinam, or hate without reason, he stressed the importance of ahavat chinam – unconditional love.
The camp community was deeply moved and impact by the service. Regarding Hadvalah, Chaverim camper Jack Leventhal expressed that “it was a calm way to say goodbye to Shabbat.” On the subject of Tisha B’Av, Jack explained that “while it was sad, it was also nice to come together as a community and remember.”
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