More than 130 members from Progressive Jewish synagogues around the UK and Ireland joined together online to mark Tisha B’Av with a solemn evening of reflection and hope.

The programme opened with three observations by Rabbis Elisheva Salamo, Naomi Goldman, and Monique Mayer, each inspired by the verse from Lamentations: “But this do I call to mind, therefore, I have hope…”

The five chapters of Eicha (Lamentations) were chanted by Cantor Rachel Weston, Rabbi Gili Tzidkiyahu, Rabbi Barbara Borts, Chazzan Rebecca Blumenfeld, and Dr Chani Smith.

Mixed between the chapters were poems by Katherine Tack (LJS), Rosemary Wolfson (Mosaic Liberal), Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah (Emeritus Rabbi at Brighton and Hove), and Gillian Lazarus (Sha’arei Tsedek), adding their words of personal and communal reflection.

Rabbi Sybil Sheridan read Love Song by Amiram Cooper, a moving tribute to the poet who was taken captive and murdered on 7 October. Rabbi Lisa Barrett followed with a poem by Palestinian-American writer Suheir Hammad, reminding us: “There is life here… and if there is any light to come, it will shine from the eyes of those who look for peace and justice… Affirm life. We’ve got to carry each other now.”