Judaism Unbound Episode 543: Tisha B’Av 2026 - Lex and Rena Yehuda

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Lex Rofeberg and Rena Yehuda Newman discuss the history, shadow-sides, and positive possibilities for observing the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’av (the 9th of Av) — understood by many to be the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. What is Tisha B'Av? How has it been observed -- and, often, not-observed -- in American-Jewish communities? How can it help us consider the flow of the Jewish calendar as a whole? This episode is a first in a two-part mini-series exploring the past, present, and future of the 9th of Av.

[1] Eight incredible students from the UnYeshiva's certificate program in Unbound Judaism will be graduating, on August 2nd! Mark your calendars, so that you can be there to celebrate their amazing achievement. You can register to attend via this link!

[2] For a past episode of Judaism Unbound exploring the 9th of Av, see Episode 494: Tisha B’Av 2025 - Dan and Lex.

[3] Rena Yehuda referenced a resource from Halachic Left called “For These Things I Weep: A Reader for the Nine Days and Tisha B’Av.” Explore that resource here (including Rena Yehuda’s contribution to it).

[4] Check out a piece from a rabbi who does not fast on Tisha B’Av here: “What if I Can’t (or Don’t Want to) Fast on Tisha B’Av?”

[5] An episode of Judaism Unbound explored Tisha B’Av at Jewish summer camp — listen in via Episode 383: Jews of Summer Camp - Sandra Fox. For an episode exploring what was lost when the temple was destroyed, see Episode 153: Fiction Between Worlds - Ruby Namdar.

[6] For a piece on why some Jews mark fasts on the 7th and 10th of Av, instead of the 9th, see “Lamenting with Job: The Karaite Version of the Fasts for Jerusalem.”

[7] Check out the full text of Eicha (Lamentations), a text traditionally associated with the 9th of Av, here.