August 2025/Av 5785 Program Ideas
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Jewish Holidays
Tish’a B’Av: Sunset Sat. Aug. 2nd – Sundown Sun. Aug. 3rd
Tisha B’Av , the ninth day of the month of Av (which month coincides with July and/or August), is the major day of communal mourning in the Jewish calendar. Although a large number of disasters are said to have befallen the Jews on this day, the major commemoration is of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in 586 B.C.E. and 70 C.E., respectively. Central to the observance of this day is fasting.
- Host a Jewish art making event using Jewish texts related to Tish’a B’Av and grief with this ready to go Torah Inspired Art Making program.
- Attend or host a communcal reading of Eicha/Lamentations, the traditional text read on Tish’a B’Av.
- Learn about Jewish mourning rituals or host a grief group.
- Host a break fast meal for Tish’a B’Av.
- Explore resources from A Mitzvah to Eat and discuss alternatives to fasting on Jewish fast days.
Tu B’Av: Sunset Fri. Aug. 8th – Sundown Sat. Aug. 9th
Tu B’Av, the 15th Day of Av, is both an ancient and modern holiday. Originally a post-biblical day of joy, it served as a matchmaking day for unmarried women in the Second Temple period (before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E.). Tu B’Av was almost unnoticed in the Jewish calendar for many centuries but it has been rejuvenated in recent decades, especially in the modern state of Israel. In its modern incarnation it is gradually becoming a Jewish Day of Love, slightly resembling Valentine’s Day in English-speaking countries.
- Inspired by the traditional practices of the holiday, host a Tu B’Av Clothing Swap & Dance Party
- Break out the popcorn and the projector for a Jewish Rom Com Movie Night and discussion!
- Host a matchmaking night or a new friend mixer!
Rosh Chodesh Elul: Sunset Sat. Aug 23rd – Sundown Mon. Aug 25th
Start of month of Elul on the Hebrew calendar. Elul (אֱלוּל ) is the 12th month of the civil Hebrew year (13th on leap years) and the 6th month of the biblical Hebrew year. It has 29 days and corresponds to August or September on the Gregorian calendar. ראֹשׁ חוֹדֶשׁ , transliterated Rosh Chodesh or Rosh Hodesh, is a minor holiday that occurs at the beginning of every month in the Hebrew calendar. It is marked by the birth of a new moon.
- Consider hosting an At the Well Rosh Chodesh Circle
- Use resources from the Jewish Studio Projects (JSP) to host a Rosh Chodesh art making event (check out the Torah Inspired Art Making ready to go program for a ready to go program structure). Or join JSP’s online Rosh Chodesh Elul online art making event on Sunday, August 24th
- Host a Kiddush Levana ritual for the sight of the new moon!
Torah Portions
August 2nd: Parashat Devarim/Shabbat Chazon
In this Torah portion, Moses recounts the Israelites’ episodes from their 40 years in the wilderness. Moses encourages the Israelites in their upcoming conquest of the land of Canaan. The Sabbath immediately preceding the ninth of Av is known as the Sabbath of Vision (Chazon) for the prophetic reading Isaiah 1:1-27. After recounting heinous transgressions, it offers the hope of reconciliation, which will come when the people “cease to do evil, learn to do good.”
- Host a vision board making event inspired by Shabbat Chazon
- Inspired by Moses’s recounting of the Israelites story, have your community members share pieces of their life stories with this ready to go Jewish Storytelling Event
August 9th: Parashat Vaetchanan/Shabbat Nahamu
In this Torah portion, Moses stresses to the Israelites the importance of keeping God’s commandments when they enter the Land of Israel. Moses repeats the Ten Commandments and utters the Shema and Ve’ahavta prayers. Shabbat Nahamu, which provides words of consolation a week later, embrace Tisha B’Av from opposite sides, cushioning the blow of the day of destruction, allowing the mourners to go into it knowing there is salvation and emerge from it reassured that redemption will come.
- Host a comfort Shabbat for Shabbat Nahamu. Teach about the significance of Shabbat Nahamu, make comfort foods, and invite guests to come in comfy clothes (PJ shabbat anyone??).
- Explore the themes of love in the Ve’Ahavta with a Tu B’Av program for the Jewish day of love!
August 16th: Parashat Eikev
In this Torah portion, Moses continues his speech to the Israelites. He tells them they will have to annihilate people who are not believers in God. Moses reminds them not to forget God’s commandments even after they enter the land of Israel, and that they must continue to fear God.
- Learn about the significance of the Seven Species (of food) mentioned in this Torah portion and host a meal that features all seven species!
- Challenge the Torah’s teachings about interacting with other faith traditions and host an interfaith event to learn about the ways Judaism and other religions can support each other and coexist
August 23rd: Parashat Re’eh
In this Torah portion, Moses tells the Israelites that if they worship idols, they will be punished. Moses explains the laws of kosher food, and he details the three pilgrimage festivals: Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot.
- Host a meal that features traditional foods from each of the pilgrimage holidays!
- Learn about kosher food practices with this ready to go wine and cheese tasting program that explores the kashrut and ritual practices surrounding wine and cheese.
August 30th: Parashat Shoftim
In this Torah portion, Moses reviews the justice system for the Israelites. Moses talks about the limits future kings should have on their possessions. Moses explains that the priests and Levites should not be paid and should survive on donations from the people. Finally, Moses explains the laws of warfare.
- This is a great week to host a tikkun olam event focused on giving back to your community.
- Host a discussion on what it looks like to have a Torah based justice system and how that is similar or different to justice systems in place today.
Secular Celebrations and Remembrances
August 1st:
- International Mahjong Day: Be like your Bubbie and learn how to play mahjong or learn about why mahjong has become such a mainstay in the Jewish community.
- Respect for Parents Day: Host a Jewish learning event focusing on learning the stories of our foremothers and forefathers or learn about the vaue of respecting ones parents in Judaism.
- International Beer Day: Host a beer tasting and learn about Judaism and fermentation practices.
August 2nd:
- National Sunflower Day: Host a flower arranging program and learn about the practice of hiddur mitzvah.
- National Ice Cream Sandwich Day: Enjoy some ice cream sandwiches and add an easy Jewish learning element with this source sheet on Judaism and ice cream.
August 2nd:
- National Pickleball Day: Host a pickle program with a Jewish twist or host a pickling event and add a Jewish learning element with this source sheet on Pickles and the Jewish People.
- National Happiness Happens Day: Learn about the practice of simcha (joy) in Jewish tradition.
August 9th:
- National Book Lovers Day: Host this lowkey blind date with a book event!
August 15th:
- National Leathercraft Dat: Learn about how to make teffilin!
- National Relaxation Day: A great day to host a Shabbat dinner and learn about the role of rest in Judaism.
August 16th:
- National Tell a Joke Day: Host a Jewish Rom Com Movie Night with this ready to go program!
August 17th:
- National Nonprofit Day: A great day to help a local nonprofit and host a tikkun olam event.
August 19th:
- National Soft Serve Ice Cream Day: Enjoy some soft serve and add an easy Jewish learning element with this source sheet on Judaism and ice cream.
August 25th:
- National Secondhand Wardrobe Day: Host a Teshuva Torah and Clothing Swap in prep for Elul and the start of the new school year!
August 26th:
- National Women’s Equality Day: Learn about the role of women in Jewish life or volunteer at a local Jewish women’s organization.
August 28th:
- National Red Wine Day: Use this ready-to-go Wine and Cheese Through a Jewish Lens program!
August 30th:
- National Grief Awareness Day: Learn about Jewish death and mourning practices and set up a meal train system in your community.
August 31st:
- National Matchmaker Day: Host a Jewish Rom Com Movie Night with this ready to go program!
Compiled by Adira Rosen with contributions by Adena Walker, Adira Rosen, Annie Prusky, Jessica Herrmann, and Rabbi Shari Shamah
