Shavua Tov
Before the destruction of the Second Temple, our tradition teaches that Jerusalem was not defeated by a lack of strength or wisdom, but by sinat chinam, baseless hatred. Last week, as we prepared for and observed Tisha B’Av, I reflected on Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook’s profound teaching that if the Temple was destroyed because of sinat chinam, then it will one day be rebuilt through ahavat chinam baseless love.
This Tuesday evening, our calendar offers us a remarkable spiritual transition as we welcome Tu B’Av, often called the Jewish Day of Love. The placement of these two observances is no accident. Judaism does not leave us in mourning. It insists that after we acknowledge brokenness, we begin the work of healing. After remembering what hatred can destroy, we recommit ourselves to what love can build.
The Torah expresses this calling in words that have echoed through the generations:
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l taught that love in Judaism is not merely an emotion but an act of responsibility. Communities are sustained not simply because people care about one another, but because they choose, day after day, to care for one another. Love becomes visible through kindness, generosity, forgiveness, and the willingness to see the Divine image in every person.
That is precisely what I have the privilege of witnessing each day at the Tucson J.
I see it in our early childhood educators who greet children with warmth and patience. I see it in Camp J counselors who create friendships that campers will remember for a lifetime. I see it in conversations around our Healthy Aging programs, on the tennis courts, in the fitness center, at the pool, in our arts and cultural programs, and in the countless acts of welcome that take place throughout our campus. Every smile at the front desk, every volunteer who gives their time, every donor who invests in our mission, every staff member who goes the extra mile is helping to build something far greater than a building. Together, we are building community.
The beautiful prayer Ahavat Olam (Everlasting Love) reminds us that God’s love is constant, enduring, and unconditional. As we sing of God’s everlasting love for us, we are challenged to reflect that same enduring love in our relationships with one another. The more we extend patience, compassion, generosity, and grace, the more we become partners in bringing holiness into our world.
The Beatles famously sang All You Need is Love. While we know that communities also require hard work, courage, accountability, and sacrifice, there is profound wisdom in that simple refrain. Love remains the force that gives purpose to all those efforts. Without it, institutions become transactional. With it, they become transformational.
In a different musical voice, Adele’s Make You Feel My Love speaks to the quiet power of steadfast presence the willingness to stand beside another person through joy and hardship alike. That, too, is a beautiful expression of ahavat chinam: choosing to accompany one another, especially when it would be easier to walk away. Caissie Levy created a beautiful mash up of these Two Songs
Perhaps that is the invitation of Tu B’Av. Not simply to celebrate love, but to practice it intentionally. To offer the benefit of the doubt. To listen before judging. To forgive more quickly. To reach out to someone who may be feeling isolated. To welcome someone new into our circle. To disagree with respect while never forgetting our shared humanity.
At the Tucson J, we often say that we are the town square of our community, where everyone belongs and some people choose to join. That vision only becomes reality when each of us accepts the responsibility to create a culture of ahavat chinam one conversation, one relationship, and one act of kindness at a time.
As we celebrate Tu B’Av this week, may we each find new opportunities to fulfill the timeless commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.” May we choose love over cynicism, compassion over judgment, understanding over division, and hope over despair.
And in doing so, may we continue the sacred work that Rabbi Kook envisioned: rebuilding our communities and perhaps, one day, rebuilding the world itself through the quiet, extraordinary power of ahavat chinam.
Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.
Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי
Todd Rockoff
President + CEO, Tucson J
