Reform Temple Israel of Boston Embraces Tisha B’Av
“Reform Temple Israel of Boston Embraces Tisha B’Av”
by Mike Offner, Times of Israel, published August 6, 2025
Rabbi Andrew Oberstein and Cantor Alicia Stillman led the congregation of Temple Israel of Boston, New England’s largest Reform synagogue, in a moving and profound observance of Tisha B’Av this past weekend, symbolizing beautifully the Reform movement’s engagement with the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. The impact on those who gathered was tangible, reflected in mournful and respectful body language and hushed tones in the few moments of spontaneous conversation.
With understated, charismatic confidence, empathy, and powerful transmission of knowledge inspiring Temple Israel’s congregation, and his leadership of the Riverway Project providing “an inclusive, collaborative community for those in their 20s and 30s who want to connect with others grounded in Judaism, social justice, spirituality, and learning,” Rabbi Oberstein is a rising superstar of the Reform rabbinate.
The gratitude and reverence of gathered congregants was clear in their attentive listening and expressions of appreciation after the service.
Cantor Stillman brings her wide-ranging, dynamic vocals that reflect her training in musical theater and tutelage under legendary Cantor Jill Abramson, now Director of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music, always finding the precisely right tone, expression, and interpretation to connect the hearts and minds of congregants with the spiritual essence of the prayers and teachings of the moment, as reflected by the respectful and awed silence of participants as Cantor Stillman sang and chanted throughout the service.
Rabbi Oberstein described Reform Judaism’s connection to Tisha B’Av eloquently and with reassuring calmness, explaining that one need not seek a literal (re)construction of a “Third Temple” to reflect mournfully on the endless tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people.
Congregants’ eyes were focused poignantly on Rabbi Oberstein as he spoke; voices were silent as all sought to take in every word.
Both Cantor Stillman and Rabbi Oberstein advised congregants that sitting on the floor or otherwise in a “low place” would be both acceptable and traditional, though not a requirement for those who were more comfortable in chairs.
Some chose to sit on the floor; others preferred to remain in chairs. All respected each other’s choices. There was no judgement, only shared awe and reflection.
Together with the gathered congregants, Rabbi Oberstein and Cantor Stillman read from the Book of Lamentations, whose passages symbolized and evoked the tragic timelessness of Jewish literature:
“She weeps on through the night, and her tears are on her cheek. She has no consoler from all her lovers. All her friends have betrayed her, have become enemies to her…
“They have heard that I groan, I have none to console me. All my enemies heard of my harm, were gladdened…
“They opened wide their mouths to mock you, all your enemies. They hissed, they gnashed their teeth, they said, ‘We obliterated her. Why this day for which we hoped we have attained it, we have seen it…’
“Women they ravaged in Zion, virgins in Judah’s town.
“Nobles were impaled by them, elders they did not honor…
“Our heart’s joy is no more, our dance has turned to mourning…”
After reading quietly the history of Jewish tragedies of which Tisha B’Av is a dedicated day of remembrance, a list that continues to grow, congregants thanked Rabbi Oberstein and Cantor Stillman with a combination of quiet hugs and tears of mutual understanding, empathy, and compassion.
We shuffled out somberly, but also knowing that from the lowest point of the year, the only direction is up, and that Rabbi Oberstein and Cantor Stillman are here for us on our journey together, and we are all here for each other.
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