Aug 2026 - What is Tu B'Av?

The holiday of Tu B'Av falls on the 15th day of the month of Av, less than a week after Tisha B’Av. We move from a day of deep mourning to celebrating love, which helps us heal and begin again.
 
Tu B’Av is a joyful, mid-summer full moon festival which, in ancient times, celebrated the beginning of the grape harvest. It was a day of joy, connection, and match-making. The young women of Jerusalem wearing borrowed white dresses danced in the vineyards, hoping to find a husband. 
 
Today, this day is often called the Jewish Valentine’s Day, but its message can extend beyond romantic love. It is an opportunity to celebrate love in all its forms, love between partners, and families, love that creates community and inspires kindness, and love that connects us with those who are no longer physically present.
 
So, why am I talking about this now? The month of Av is over and we have just entered the Hebrew month of Elul!  Well, do you remember our guest speaker a few months ago, Suzannah Warlick? She presented her fascinating program “Passage to Sweden,” on Yom Hashoah. She has created a film entitled “Match and Marry,” which presents match-making in our tradition, in a very entertaining way.  We will present it on Selichot night, next month, Saturday, September 5.  It ties in with Tu B’Av, and we just found a more convenient time to share it, since many people are away during the summer.  More details coming!     
 
B’shalom,
Cantor Rena