06/03/2026
💕 Call for Submissions: AJR's Tu B’Av Supplement 💕
We welcome:
✨ Short essays and drashot less than 600 words (in Word format)
✨ Poems and prayers
✨ Artwork (PNG format only)
We're looking for pieces that explore love between individuals, love of Jewish community, love of Israel, and the role of love in Jewish life. Creative liturgical and programmatic ideas for celebrating Tu B’Av are also encouraged.
📅 Submission Deadline: June 24
📧 Send submissions and questions to: [email protected]
Please see the full note below from Dr. Ora Horn Prouser, AJR's CEO and Academic Dean:
The Academy for Jewish Religion will be publishing a supplement to the upcoming holiday of TuB’av. We are calling for submissions of short pieces, drashot, poems, prayers, and artwork (in png format only). We are proud to note that this volume will be our sixth in AJR’s series of supplements edited by Dr. Ora Horn Prouser and Rabbi Menachem Creditor.
We have been living in a world faced with too much hate in current times. We regularly see hatred of the “other,” whether that “other” is an immigrant, a person who differs from you in race, gender identity, sexual orientation, country of origin, or religion. We have seen hatred move from whispers in the corners to the public sphere. We have felt hate aimed directly at individual Jews, at our communities, and at Israel.
The lesser-known holiday of Tu B’av (which this year begins on the evening of July 28) is one that celebrates love. It traditionally was the time that partners came together to express their love and commitment. Today it is considered a day to celebrate love in general, and many weddings occur on this date. In addition, it has become a day to celebrate communal connection as well. In the face of so much hate around us, the need to celebrate love is even stronger. We are looking for pieces that celebrate love between individuals, love of the Jewish community, love of Israel, and the role of love in Jewish life. Pieces that encourage and make suggestions for the celebration of Tu B’av, whether liturgical or programmatic, will be appreciated. Feel free to use sacred texts as launchpads such as Shir Hashirim, the Shema, Kabbalistic views of Divine intimacy, Yedid Nefesh, Amichai’s love poems, etc.
Pieces should not exceed 600 words. All submissions must be in Word form. Preference may be given to those pieces that relate to Judaism and the Jewish community. Submissions and questions should be sent to [email protected] by 6/24. Please note that we will not be able to include all contributions.
We urge you to join us in bringing the brightness of love into our lives and public spaces, and to help us make the statement that even in the face of hatred, the Jewish People celebrate love and hope and connection.
Thank you for sharing this with others as well.
Dr. Ora Horn Prouser
CEO and Academic Dean
Academy for Jewish Religion
