Written by Talya Wiseman, Head of Jewish Life (High School)

Today is Tisha B’Av, the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. Tisha B’Av commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, as well as numerous other tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history. It is a day of mourning, reflection, and introspection, where we remember the suffering of our ancestors and the challenges they faced.

For our students, Tisha B’Av can often be a difficult day to relate to. It is hard for adults, let alone children and teenagers, to connect to an event that occurred 2000 years ago.

This year, Tisha B’Av feels more relevant than ever. We remember a time when Jewish people were forced into a diaspora, not able to freely practise our religion and not permitted to show Jewish pride. We see the central role that the land of Israel has always played for Jewish people and we remember the many times that we have been expelled from that land and the many attempts to return.

The Talmud teaches us that the second Temple was destroyed due to Sinat Chinam, causeless hatred. At the time of the destruction of the second Temple, Jewish people were divided, at war with one another. By contrast, we learn that the survival and flourishing of our community depends on our ability to foster unity and mutual respect, even in the face of disagreements.

This lesson resonates deeply as we reflect on the events of October 7 in Israel, when our people faced unimaginable terror and loss. In the aftermath, we witnessed a remarkable outpouring of unity and solidarity among Jews around the world. Despite the pain, the Jewish people came together in a way that echoes the importance of overcoming divisions and standing united in the face of adversity.

It is a critical reminder of the importance of practising the opposite of Sinat Chinam – Ahavat Chinam, causeless love. Being kind to others with no ulterior motive, choosing to see the good in others as our default behaviour, stopping to help others, or even to Just Say Hello. Practising Ahavat Chinam brings us closer to one another, more unified, and as we all know, the Jewish People are strongest when we stand united.

Tisha B’Av makes us mourn and remember the struggles of the Jewish people but it also allows us to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in our current times. Today, despite all the challenges, uncertainty and heartbreak, we are living in a time where we have Jewish independence in the land of Israel. Not many generations of Jewish people are able to say as much. All around the world, Jewish people are stronger because of the State of Israel.

Later this week, Counterpoint season will officially begin. Students in Years 8-12 will get to experience a time of unadulterated Jewish pride. They will step outside their normal day-to-day lives and explore what it means to be Jewish, to be a Zionist, to be part of a community and the values that go along with all these things. There will be Israeli flags draped everywhere, areas of the campsite renamed after Israeli cities, Hebrew music playing and so much ruach. Our High School students will get to know Israeli madrichim who have come all the way to Sydney just to connect with them, to role model Jewish Pride and to discuss, with nuance, issues pertaining to Israel and the Jewish world today.

Learning about Tisha B’Av and the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people doesn’t make us shrink away and hide our Judaism. It does the opposite. It makes us realise how important Israel is, how lucky we are to be Jewish and to be able to proudly declare our Jewishness.

And that is what we want for our students – to understand our long history and to also understand that they are a part of the future. Even though times may be difficult, look ahead, see what we can do to make a difference, to help and be kind to others and to be proud of everything that our nation has achieved.