T'sha Ba'av, 2011

T'sha Ba'av:
- The First Beit HaMikdash was destroyed
- The Second Beit HaMikdash was destroyed
- 1492, the Jews were exiled from Spain
It's hundreds (even thousands of years later) and sadly, we feel nothing towards it.

Going to shul for Eicha was weird because we had no idea what to expect. Aliza and I only remember Eicha in camp and we knew that being in shul would not be the same.
For the first time, there was no security to question why we were here and what synagogue we were apart of at home. There was no one asking Aliza and I how we were friends and how long we were in Spain for.
We were relieved from the moment we walked through the door, but were then saddened to see that shul light were dimmed and it was very quiet.
It was an eerie feeling but thought we would be relieved when we saw people in shul but there was no one and  we were heartbroken.
Where are all the people?
Not only are we commemorating both Beit HaMikdashes but we're in Spain where we were kicked out 600 years ago. Now, we're back. We have proved to Spain that we can still survive and thrive without living in Spain; we have proved to them that we are stronger then they think... yet, there was no one in shul.
So in the end, they have really won the 'war'.
Maybe everyone is on vacation at the beach just like last shabbos... that is our only hope.

Being that the shul is Sefardi, Eicha was not how we are used to.
They start of with kinnot and go straight into Eicha... there is no fancy "Eicha yashva ba-dad..."just like we are used to...
In the 5 perakim read, four men took turns reading a perek. It was nice because there were no microphones like we're used to in camp... just men using the strength they had to belt out the words of Eicha.
The last perk was then read in unison by the four men who had read the previous perakim. It was beautiful hearing their voices together and together, their voices gave hope for a better future.

With the ending of Eicha, the lights were turned off and a yizkor candle was lit.
At that moment, they said (in Spanish) how many years it has been since the destruction of the first Beit HaMikdash.
It was VERY powerful and very intense.

With the handful of people in the room, the moments spent together was of both sadness and hope.
It was more meaningful then expected and all we can hope is that next year, our T'sha Ba'av will be one of happiness and not sadness.