Ritual Committee
Ayal Willner and Ira Cohen
June is one of the few months without a holiday to celebrate but in it is not devoid of monumental events in Jewish history. This year the 17th of Tammuz falls on June 27.
The 17th day in the Jewish month of Tammuz, Jews the world over fast to commemorate the many calamities that have befallen our people on this ominous day. The 17th of Tammuz marks the beginning of the Three Weeks. The fast of the 17th of Tammuz is observed from the break of dawn until dusk, one of only two Jewish fasts to be observed in this manner. It is one of the four minor fasts in Judaism and commemorates the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem, which culminated in the destruction of the second Temple by the Romans under Titus. The fast of the 9th of Av, commemorates the day of the actual destruction by fire of the Holy Temple, and is the last day of the Three Weeks. The three weeks is a period of mourning over these destructions.
Moses descended Mount Sinai on this day and, upon seeing the Golden Calf broke the first set of Tablets carrying the Ten Commandments. In later years this day continued to be a dark one for Jews. In 1391, more than 4,000 Jews were killed in Toledo and Jaen, Spain and in 4319(1559) the Jewish Quarter of Prague was burned and looted. As we leave this solemn day and begin our summer vacations we hope you have an enjoyable summer.
We welcome Cantor Tilchin and her family back to our community June 9 thru the 20 and look forward to her arrival on a permanent basis.
I want to personally say what a joy it has been working with Ayal Willner this year. He has been a great teacher and will be a tremendous asset as Executive VP. I welcome Bertil Askelid as our new Co-Ritual VP. The Ritual Committee is always looking for talented, insightful and energetic individuals who want to make a difference at CBI. Contact me if you would like to be a member of our committee.
As we leave this solemn day and begin our summer vacations we hope you have an enjoyable summer.
We welcome Cantor Tilchin and her family back to our community June 9 thru the 20 and look forward to her arrival on a permanent basis.
I want to personally say what a joy it has been working with Ayal Willner this year. He has been a great teacher and will be a tremendous asset as Executive VP. I welcome Bertil Askelid as our new Co-Ritual VP. The Ritual Committee is always looking for talented, insightful and energetic individuals who want to make a difference at CBI. Contact me if you would like to be a member of our committee.