In our day and age, rifts and chasms between people and population groups are deepening. Tisha B’Av, the day when Jews commemorate the destruction of not only one, but two, ancient Temples, is considered a day of tragedy. There are those that claim that it was the rifts and chasms between groups of Jews that caused the tragedies on this day.
Reading Book of Lamentations on Tisha B’Av
The Little Prince – Cleaning up Jerusalem Together seeks to bring people together to clean up the city, and is a prime example of what can be done to change the situation. Thus, the Little Prince was invited to speak and lead a round table at an evening commemorating Tisha B’Av at Denya Square in Beit Hakerem. In addition to the Little Prince, Dr. Lia Ettinger, one of the leaders of the Extinction Rebellion in Israel, spoke about that initiative, and what can be done on a local level. The evening was held in cooperation with the Beit Hakerem Community Center, the Masorti (Conservative) Congregation in Beit Hakerem, and Achva Bakerem, the local Reform community.
Activist speaking at the event
Opening the evening was Roi Offenbacher, an activist in the Little Prince. He spoke about the history of trash in Jerusalem, from the times of the Ancient Temple until today. His talk was based on “Trash Tours” that he gives on the same subject.
Roi Offenbacher, about the history of trash in Jerusalem
After Ro’i, our own Tal Kligman spoke, giving a survey of the vast activity of the Little Prince and how it brings people together.
Tal Kligman, about the Little Prince bringing people together
Dr. Lia Ettinger then spoke about the dire urgent threats to the world’s environment, and about the Extinction Rebellion as a means to combat these trends.
Dr. Lia Ettinger, on the Extinction Rebellion
Many thanks to the Rayne Foundation and the Jerusalem Foundation for their support of this project.
