The season we find ourselves in calendrically is the three weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av – a time to reflect on the siege and destruction of the ancient temple in Jerusalem. It is a season during which Jews recount many historical tragedies that have befallen our ancestors. Many Jews treat this season as one of collective mourning, and even refrain from certain practices that may be at all dangerous since it is a season of so many calamities.

It has felt incongruous to focus internally like this during these weeks so far for me. Indeed there is a terrible calamity being committed in the false name of keeping Jews safe and this season reminds us that a focus only on Jewish safety can lead to some of the worst things humans are capable of, killing over 1000 Palestinians since May seeking food aid, for example.

The three weeks start with what is called a minor fast day – the 17th of Tammuz – a day when fasting lasts from sun up to sun down, and they end with the only other major fast day on our calendar aside from Yom Kippur: Tisha B’Av (fasting from sundown to dark the following day). You may fast this year, and you may not. I did not on the 17th of Tammuz this year. But what I have done is been more aware of each bite of food I have eaten. I have not taken one of them for granted and I invite you to take some personal action that continues to bring your attention to the calamities happening during these three weeks and beyond.

There are two ways for Kadima folks to come together during the last of these three weeks, and the act of coming together is so important during times such as these. Come together for a house Garden Party or Shabbat in the Park to find community in these times. May this period of time bring awareness, bring action, bring connection, and sustain our attention on these calamities and our persistent call that they end. Tisha B’Av (the 9th of Av and end of this three week season) begins at sundown on Saturday Aug 2 this year. As you consider how you might mark the day, below is a collection of Kadima-aligned suggestions, mostly on zoom/hybrid.

In the meantime, shabbat shalom, and as Av begins, chodesh tov – may it be a month for good.
R’ David

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Tisha B’Av Events:

• Confronting Hurban [Destruction] in Gaza from Smol Emuni US on zoom
• Crumbling the Walls of Siege and Starvation from Rabbis for Ceasefire and others on zoom
• Leil Tisha B’Av at Hinenu Baltimore and on zoom
• Erev Tisha B’Av at Kol Tzedek (Philadelphia) and on zoom
• Tisha B’Av: A Time to Mourn – Jewish Rituals for Grief in a Time of Genocide from Noraa Neither Kaplan (in Providence, RI in person only)
• Erev Tisha B’Av at Kehilla Community Synagogue (Oakland, CA in person only)

Tisha B’Av Resources:

• Lamentation for a New Diaspora by Rabbi Brant Rosen
• Gaza Mourning Ritual by the JVP Rabbinic Council
• As a Black rabbi on Tisha B’Av, I’m mourning how Jews have lost Black allies since Oct. 7 by Rabbi Heather Miller

In lieu of a typical Shabbat drash for you this week, we wanted to take a moment and (re)introduce ourselves – staff and board – and let you in on some updates we have as we begin a new fiscal year.

Kadima’s board of directors now consists of Chelsea Alvarez and Hila Keller (co-presidents), Marion Reader (treasurer), and Michael Blum (at-large). We are so grateful for the service of Rainer Waldman Adkins, Lauren Berry-Kagan, and Shira Brewer who all rotated off the board this past cycle as their terms ended.

The office staff has in some ways changed and in other ways stayed the same. We have moved to create more shared leadership on staff, investing in the future of Kadima staff leadership. Rabbi David remains Rabbi and Acting Director, though in a more limited capacity. He has reduced his role to 30 hours/week. Rabbi May has taken on the role of Associate Rabbi and Director of Member Development and has increased her hours to 28 hours/week. Sarah Edelstein's role will remain much the same, though her title has been updated to Education Director and her hours increased to 30/week. Makenna O’Keeffe remains Kadima’s Communications Manager & Administrative Specialist at 13 hours/week and Ashley Larson remains Kadima’s Financial Manager now at 14 hours/week. We are all excited to work with you toward sustaining and building this essential community.

With two rabbis working in rabbinic capacities on staff we want to clarify what you can expect from your rabbinic team:

• Returning in September, Rabbi David will continue leading Shabbat morning services on the first Saturday/month in the South end.
  
• Beginning in September, Rabbi May will lead Kabbalat Shabbat services on the first Friday/month in the North end. 
  
• Rabbi David will continue leading our community’s b’mitzvah celebrations for young people and also offer an adult b'mitzvah cohort in the coming year.
  
• Rabbi May and the board will support our community in updating our values with an eye towards Zionism and disability justice. 
  
• Both rabbis are available to you for life cycle events and pastoral care. Reach out to us at our respective calendars: Rabbi David and Rabbi May.
  
• Rabbinic led and facilitated classes, discussion, and skill building.

We wanted to use this opportunity to thank you for renewing your membership this July, inviting you to join if you are not yet a member, and articulating what it means to be a member of Kadima.

Kadima has always – 47 years this week! – been a highly engaged, member-led community. Membership comes with the following benefits:

• Elevating and amplifying a justice, liberation, and solidarity centered Judaism and Jewishness in Seattle and the Salish Sea region through contributions of money, skill, and time.
  
• Having a voice and a vote in what and how we work, learn, support, and celebrate the nexus of our Jewishness with justice and solidarity values.
  
• Rabbinic support and spiritual care from our talented and caring rabbis. Each member is entitled to 3-5 pastoral care sessions per year with the rabbi of your choice for any topic you wish to explore. Rabbinic support is not a replacement for therapy – it is an act of professional spiritual accompaniment for whatever you might be going through, thinking about, choosing between, or simply want to talk about.
  
• Life-cycle support and officiation. Life happens and your Kadima rabbinic team is ready to support and collaborate with you and your family, however you define it. For life’s sorrows and joys, we are ready to ground your transitional moments in Jewish tradition and time, Kadima values, and you and your loved ones’ ways.
  
• Free or reduced cost access to classes and workshops. Kadima offers a variety of classes and workshops throughout a given year and your membership offers you primary access at free or reduced rates.
  
• Request mutual aid from other Kadima members.
  
• Receive priority in sharing services, events, or listings in Kadima’s weekly newsletter.
  
• Connect to your Kadima neighbors through our neighborhood-based member listservs.
  
• Host or lead Kadima sponsored events, classes, discussion groups, and more for fellow members.
  
• Serve in leadership positions on the board of directors and/or join a committee eg. social committee, Beit Avodah (ritual committee), and more.
  
• Represent Kadima and/or request rabbinic solidarity in justice concerns locally.

With immense gratitude and love from all of us on the Kadima Staff & Board,
Shabbat Shalom!