Tu b'Av

We're all familiar with the holiday of Tisha b'Av (the 9th day of the month of Av), the commemoration of the day when both Temples were destroyed. But I was surprised when my son brought home a craft project from school for Tu b'Av (the 15th of the month). Maybe I'm the only person who didn't know this, but it's kind of an alternative to Valentine's Day. On this day, Jewish single women would wear borrowed white dresses (so no one would judge someone by the quality of her dress) and run to the fields to be selected as brides. It's the date when the two kingdoms of Israel (Judea and Israel) came to agreements about sacrifices in the Temple. It is when couples could marry outside their tribes (important because of the inheritance implications). Being happily married with two kids (which I sometimes still can't believe), perhaps it's reasonable that a "singles" holiday isn't on my radar screen. It's been reinvigorated in recent decades (though has existed for centuries) and the idea seems quite nice. (FYI, it was this past Monday. Maybe next year I'll remember in advance!)

Buildings

There are two interesting events for your architects and engineers. The National Building Museum is showing an exhibit featuring Legos through September 5, 2001. More information is available on the Museum's web site. Also, around the corner, you can visit the BrickFair, held from August 7-8. Strollers are not permitted, but if your kids are either older or younger (suitable for babywearing), it's a lot of fun.

Mama Doni at the JCC - August 5

On Thursday August 5, JCCNV Camps present the family concert of the summer.

Mama Doni is a mom, educator, performer, songwriter, and lead singer in The Mama Doni Band, winner of the 2008 Simcha Award for “Inspiring Joy Through Music,” in competition with more than 100 bands from 15 different countries at the International Jewish Music Festival in Amsterdam, Holland. She was invited back to Amsterdam the next year in 2009 to perform a concert and conduct a workshop. Immersed in Jewish life and music since childhood, Doni grew up in the Washington DC area, attending The Hebrew Day Institute and The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School.

5:30 pm: Program begins (bring your own parve or dairy picnic dinner and blanket to sit on).
6:00 pm: Concert begins

$5 per child/ adults are free!

For more information, contact (703) 537-8086 or download the flier and registration form here.

Gardening success

If you remember, last year I was very excited about the idea of showing my then 2-year-old about where food comes from and how we take care of plants. Well, this year, the now 3-year-old wanted to grow cauliflower and was very sad to learn that it is a fall plant in our region. He was not so thrilled about my alternative choice - peas. Easy to maintain and something he would eat, I hoped. Well, we'll find out today. The first pods have appeared. I really wasn't as ambitious as I had thought after last year's success, but I realized in the winter that expecting a baby in May would severely impair the modest gardening wishes I had. If you haven't grown anything yourself, I highly recommend a trip to the farmer's market to show your kids what fruits and veggies that still have dirt on them look like! And maybe we'll think about cauliflower for Sukkot...

Rocknoceros at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue - July 18

Haven't made it to the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue since it reopened? Here's an excuse!

Rocknoceros will be performing there this Sunday at 10:30 a.m, along with magician The Great Zucchini. Find out more, including directions, more about the performers, or purchase advance tickets online. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

Community Eat-for-Heat, July 18

This coming Sunday from 8:45-11, there will be a pancake feast at the JCC. There will be pancakes, of course, and arts and crafts for the kids. The proceeds will go the FACETS Hypothermia Project.

The cost is $6 per adult and $3 per child. Children 2 years and younger are free.

For more information, contact Laurie Albert at 703-537-3064 . Pre-registration is appreciated but not required.

Upcoming play date at the JCC - July 18

A week from Sunday is the next JCC playdate (10 am to noon). The heat wave should break before then! It sure was a challenge to find things to do inside in the past little while. I think we'll all be pleased when the kids can run around outside during the day again.