While Am Yisrael awaits redemption, Tisha b’Av is the day we commemorate the sacrifice of the Jewish people during this long exile. Yeshivat Noam held its first Tisha b’Av program for the Bergen County community. Upon entry to the building, a picture of the three boys murdered in Israel by terrorists— Eyal, Gilad, and Naftali, z’l—were seen on a large poster. Rabbi Chaim Hagler led Kinnot and greatly inspired those who attended with meaningful explanations of the passages. In between each Kinna, the names of the 60 fallen soldiers in Gaza were announced. After five Kinnot, the students broke up to explore the Kinnot in depth. After the Kinnot were completed, the Chofetz Chaim Foundation video was screened. I was thankful that Yeshviat Noam created this program to make Tisha B’Av meaningful and inspiring for me and all who attended.
By DJ Wartelsky, Seventh Graderat Yeshivat Noam
