As happens in the Jewish calendar, last night began a holiday that continues today: Tu B'Av, the traditional Jewish holiday of love. The timing is designed so that after Tish'ah B'Av, the Ninth of Av fast day, which recalls the tragedies of the Jewish people especially the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, we affirm life with joy, celebration and looking toward a future (read: the hope of future Jewish babies).
I was supposed to go to the biggest Tu B'Av party in NYC, sponsored by Bangitout.com--the party usually draws about 800-1000 Jews all (theoretically) looking for relationships. Even though Jewish singles isn't my official Jewish Week beat anymore, I was already signed up to go, But the reason I didn't go was because it was called on account of rain (and rescheduled for Monday night, when I'll already be in Israel again).
Why'd it rain? Blame global warming or summer in New York City if you want, but I know the real reason.
It's my fault.
The party's organizers insist that New Yorkers change their essential nature in order to attend this party: in accordance with the way this holiday was observed, all partiers are asked to wear white. WHITE! Can you imagine the nerve of asking New Yorkers to wear white? A quick look at my wardrobe revealed what I already knew to be true. No white lives there; it is an unsuitable environment for white clothing. I think I had a white t-shirt once, but the black clothing swallowed it, processed it, and somehow painted it black. I shudder to think of that digestive process.
Why not just wear black? Last time I wore black to the Tu B'Av party people made lots of comments, and it was annoying--with all due respect to Cher and Bob Mackie, one's clothing should not upstage one's personality. So I had to shop. As soon as I found and purchased the white item necessary for my party entrance, I heard the crack of thunder outside. Venturing through the doors of the store, I saw people running through the giant raindrops in Herald Square. I got home fairly dry, and then watched as the skies opened again. There would be no Jewish singles party tonight, I thought.
So, in summation, apologies to Bangitout's Galena brothers and the Upper West Side Jewish singles population. If I had stuck to my black guns, and stayed true to my New Yorkerness, it's likely the party would have gone on as scheduled. So while it was your fault that I was shopping for white to begin with, I guess I'll mea culpa. My bad. Now I'll have to move somewhere where they wear white clothing.
And now, a Tu B'Av video courtesy of some of my blog friends, including Benji Lovitt of WhatWarZone. Happy Tu B'Av!
Gee Esther, no wonder so many Jews are still single, havent you ever heard of umbrellas?!
Posted by: Chris M | August 16, 2008 at 07:37 AM
I just got back from a party and it's past midnight. No luck. Sigh....now it's Taz B'av and I have to wake up in 6 hours. Maybe next year...
Posted by: Benji Lovitt | August 16, 2008 at 02:34 PM