As part of the Yeshivat Noam Tisha b’Av program, Middle School students delved into the symbolism and meaning of the day. Im­mediately following our singing of the kinna “Eish Tukad b’Kirbi”—which parallels our joy­ous yetziah from Mitzrayim to the painful yet­ziah from Yerushalayim, we joined together to create a hypothetical Seder Shel Tisha b’Av. Students who wished to, designed the layout and decor for the Seder room. They also wrote out guidelines for what to wear and what not to wear to such a Seder and designed count­down posters to Tisha b’Av (rather than the count-up posters we start using after the Sed­er Shel Pesach). Students who wished to con­tribute to the Seder Shel Tisha b’Av in a more hands-on way created symbols for a seder plate (ke’ara) to help set the tone for the Sed­er and could be used throughout the day. Students who wished to do so wrote a Ma Nishtana unique for Tisha b’Av with an accom­panying answer for parents to use in response. Kol hakavod to the many students who took upon themselves the responsibility of making Tisha b’Av a meaningful time.

By Shira Greenspan, Middle School Judaic Studies Educator