Tish’a B’av is an annual day of fasting and mourning. This commemorative holiday is to remember tragedies that affected Jewish people throughout history. Fasting commemorates the fall of the First Temple and Second Temple in Jerusalem and other tragedies such as Jewish people getting thrown out of Spain.

How is Tish’a B’av Observed and Celebrated?

Tisha B’Av is observed as a day of communal mourning, which is expressed through fasting and abstention from activities such as bathing, shaving, fasting, avoiding wearing leather, and at times working. The Book of Lamentation is read at the Synagogue.

How to Observe Tish’a B’av in the Workplace

• Don’t Make Assumptions: People feel different emotions during the holidays, and not everybody who celebrates Tish’a B’av will do so similarly. There may be some employees who will take time off or want to have open conversations about the holiday with their colleagues, while others may prefer to stay quiet or may not wish to participate in the festivities. 

• Allow for Paid Time Off: Accommodate requests off for Tish’a B’av. This day can potentially be filled with mournfulness and grief. An employer should present options to any employee who celebrates the holiday to take time off without losing wages or using their vacation time. Paid time off allows your employees to enjoy this festival with their loved ones without having to stress

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Communications Template for Tish’a B’av

Hi Everyone!

We want to commemorate Tish’a B’av, a Jewish holiday that mourns the fall of the First Temple and Second Temple in Jerusalem, also known as one of the saddest days of the year for Judaism.

We encourage you to watch this informational video titled What is Tisha B'av: The Jewish Day of Mourning for even more information on this holiday and how it is observed.

We acknowledge that this can potentially be a mournful day and a day of reflection for some of you.

Thank you for taking the time to learn with us.

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