Tisha B’Av Program In Flatbush
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 The annual Tisha B’Av Program of Flatbush will be held in Kings Terrace (formerly Le Marquise/Alexandria), 815 Kings Highway, (between East 8 and East 9 Streets) on Motzei Shabbos, August 9 and on Sunday, August 10.
For more than 25 years, the Tisha B’Av Program, together with a smaller lecture program on the 17 of Tammuz, has inspired members of the community to focus on the significance of the Three Weeks. At this time, Klal Yisrael mourns the loss of the two Batei Mikdash (temples) in Yerushalayim and other related tragedies that have befallen our nation in exile.
The program begins with Maariv at 9:20 p.m. afterShabbos, August 9. Participants should bring their own siddurim and Kinos. After the reading of Megillas Eichah, Rav Shlomo Pearl, shlita, rosh kollel of the Bostoner Night Kollel in Flatbush, will present an introduction to the kinos, and set the tone for the day of mourning. At 10:30 p.m. Rav Pinchos Breuer, shlita, Rav of Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyomin in Flatbush will offer reflections on this, the saddest of all days in the Jewish calendar.
The program will resume the following morning with Shacharis at 8 a.m. followed at 9 a.m. with an introduction to the kinos and explanations of selected kinos, given by Rav Yaakov D. Homnick, shlita, of Florida. Mincha is scheduled twice in the afternoon – at 2:30 p.m. and at 7:10 p.m.
Rav Baruch Rabinowitz, shlita, rosh mesivta of Mesivta Ateres Yaakov of Long Island will give the first the drasha at 12:30 p.m. Rav Herschel Welcher, shlita, of Congregation Ahavas Yisroel and of Mesifta Tiferes Yisroel will offer words of chizuk at 1:30 p.m., followed by Mincha. At 3:15 p.m., Rav Ezriel Tauber, shlita, founder of Shalheves, will offer a fascinating perspective of the moed from the eyes of one who survived the Holocaust.
At 4:15 p.m., Rav Yosef Viener, shlita, rav of Kehilas Shaar Hashamayim in Monsey will focus on the tragedy of Tisha B’Av and relate it to the contemporary challenges of life in America and the world today, followed at 5:15 p.m. by Rav Shmuel Dishon, shlita, menahel of Mosdos Yad Yisroel, Karlin Stolin, who will offer a powerful analysis of how a Jew should feel on this sad day.
Rav Mattisyahu Salomon, shlita, mashgiach ruchani of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood will speak at 6:15 p.m. Rav Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, shlita, will conclude the program with reflections on the importance of the day and implications for the future.
Maariv, havdalah and kiddush levana (clouds permitting) will begin at 8:50 p.m. Participants are invited to break the fast with light refreshments.
The program is open to men and women, with separate seating. Admission is $12 per person or $35 per family. There will be no charge for those coming to the Motzei Shabbos program. Kings Terrace is wheelchair accessible. For more information, or if you would like to help subsidize the costs of running these programs, call 718-998-5822 or 718-377-7091 or e-mail torahconnections@earthlink.net.