Tisha B’Av Observance
Monday, August 12, 7:00 pm
at Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion

Tisha B’Av, the Ninth of Av, is the Jewish national day of mourning and is traditionally observed with fasting and chanting from Eicha, the book of Lamentations. The observance occurs on the anniversary of the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans. The destruction is traditionally attributed to deep societal divisions which lead to the country’s downfall.  This year Oak Park Temple and Congregation Har Zion will join together for a Screening of the Film Legend of Destruction. Following the film we will hear excerpts from Eicha, Lamentations, and have a discussion about the film, our tradition, and contemporary society.  

From the Film’s publicity- A tale of the historical event that changed the destiny of the Jewish people: the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. 

During the Roman rule of the Land of Israel, social inequalities, corruption and injustice were rampant; a cry for freedom, justice and equality in the name of God  breaks out in the holy land. 

Jerusalem is a powder keg about to explode. Secret groups of Zealots cause internal disputes and hatred, leading to a full-blown violent civil war, which causes a horrible famine in the name of justice and revenge. When the Roman legions eventually unleash their wrath on emaciated Jerusalem, disaster is inevitable.

The film’s unique visual style was created with 1,500 original paintings by David Polonsky and Michael Faust, the artists behind the Oscar-nominated “Waltz with Bashir”; Original music written by Assaf Talmudi and Yonatan Albalak is nothing short of amazing.

Historically accurate, (also based on Yosef Ben Matityahu’s factual accounts) LEGEND of DESTRUCTION depicts the dangers of greed and social injustices, exploitation, corruption, political hubris, and above all- religious fanaticism in the name of God. 

These events took place some 2000 years ago, yet the timeliness of this seminal story to the Jewish people is shocking. 

Legend of Destruction is a winner of four Israeli Academy Awards